What is the difference between reliable and dependable

For example, one could say that the public transport in your area is dependable if you experience it as consistently on time when you need it.

When something is dependent on another thing, we understand it to have a conditional relationship. This dependency means that one thing needs to happen for the other to happen as well.

For instance, you must be able to depend on a ladder to support your weight before you climb it, or else you would be in danger. Similarly, you would hope the paramedic who comes to your aid is dependable to provide you with the emergency care you would need in that situation. We might consider a fridge reliable when it keeps our food fresh and cool.

Though food is critical for surviving, you would only need to rely on it to do its job instead of depending on it. Thus, their reputation for doing that job well makes them dependable. Perhaps there are lifts or other technical aspects in the dancing that requires trust, so they specify the need for that quality in their prospective partners. The government has reached an agreement with a dependable vaccine producer.

In the above example, the producer is undoubtedly reliable to be in their position, but it is the faith placed in them in this agreement that has made them dependable.

Words like these sharing similar meanings are known as synonyms. Reliable and Dependable are words that describe complementary character traits. It means a reliable person can be depended on and a dependable person can be relied on. From far, there seems no difference between the two, and the dictionary says that they are synonyms of each other. The difference between Reliable and Dependable is that dependable is used as an adjective that is used to describe a characteristic of a person or a relationship whereas Reliable is used with items like mechanical or engineering aspects or machinery generally.

There is no marked contrast between the two, but their usage is a bit different. Reliable is an adjective that is the indication of consistent work and competent behavior.

When they operate reliably, the parts of a machine are known as reliable and can be counted on to provide good results. It is said that computers will do stuff cheaper and faster. How do you use dependable in a sentence? What does mean dependable? What is a reliable person like? How can you tell if someone is trustworthy? Is dependability a personality trait? What are characteristics of a dependable employee? What should I write in a performance review comment? A reliable object can be depended upon.

Main Differences Between Dependable vs Reliable Basis of Comparison Dependable Reliable Circumstance of Use Mostly used for people Mostly used for objects or things Meaning Anyone who is deemed trustworthy by you Anyone or anything that meets your expectations Context Is used in the context of something that has always happened Is used in the context for anything new being done Summary A dependable person is relied upon A reliable object can be depended on Conclusion of the Main Difference Between Dependable vs Reliable Both dependable and reliable can be used to depict your trust in someone to the extent that you would ask them of something and they would accept.

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