The dependent variable was
Research methodology and reporting expression
Use this phrase to professionally identify the specific outcome you measured in any logical test or study.
En 15 secondes
- Identifies the measured result in a study or experiment.
- Used primarily in academic, scientific, or professional reporting.
- Shows how one factor changed in response to another.
Signification
This phrase identifies the specific thing you measured in an experiment or study. It is the 'result' that changed because of something else you did.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Writing a university biology lab report
The dependent variable was the total mass of the leaves after two weeks.
The measured result was the weight of the leaves after two weeks.
Presenting marketing data to a corporate board
In our A/B test, the dependent variable was the click-through rate on the email.
In our test, the result we tracked was how many people clicked the email.
Discussing a personal sleep experiment with a friend
I tracked my coffee intake, and the dependent variable was how long I slept.
I watched my coffee, and the thing that changed was my sleep time.
Contexte culturel
The term originates from 18th-century mathematics and logic but became a staple of social sciences in the 20th century. In modern Western culture, using 'variable' terminology outside of a lab suggests a person is analytical and objective. It reflects the high value placed on the 'Scientific Method' in global academic standards.
The 'Depends' Trick
If you get confused, just ask: 'Does [X] depend on [Y]?' If yes, [X] is your dependent variable. It's a lifesaver during exams!
Don't Mix Them Up
Never confuse it with the 'independent variable.' The independent one is what YOU change; the dependent one is what happens because of that change.
En 15 secondes
- Identifies the measured result in a study or experiment.
- Used primarily in academic, scientific, or professional reporting.
- Shows how one factor changed in response to another.
What It Means
Think of this as the 'effect' in a cause-and-effect story. In science, you change one thing to see what happens to another. The thing that reacts is your dependent variable. It 'depends' on the changes you made. If you are testing how sunlight affects plant growth, the growth is the dependent variable. It is the data you actually write down in your notebook.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase when writing or speaking about a test you finished. It almost always appears in the past tense because you are reporting results. Start your sentence with The dependent variable was followed by the specific measurement. For example, The dependent variable was the time it took to finish. It sounds very professional and organized. You are telling your audience exactly what you were watching for.
When To Use It
This is a superstar phrase in university essays and lab reports. Use it during business presentations when showing data from a market test. It is perfect for any situation where you need to be precise. If you are explaining a complex decision to your boss, this shows you used logic. It makes you sound like a serious researcher who knows their stuff.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in casual, emotional conversations with friends. If you say, 'The dependent variable was my anger,' people might think you are a robot. It is way too stiff for a casual dinner or a romantic date. Do not use it if you are just guessing about something. It implies you actually measured something with numbers or specific observations. Using it for a vague feeling sounds a bit weird and overly clinical.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the scientific method, which is the backbone of Western education. From a young age, students in English-speaking countries are taught to think in 'variables.' This reflects a culture that values data, evidence, and logical proof. Using this language shows you belong to the global community of thinkers and skeptics. It is the language of progress and discovery.
Common Variations
You might also hear The outcome variable was or The response variable was. In more casual settings, people might just say The result we measured was. However, in a formal paper, The dependent variable was remains the gold standard. It is the most recognized way to label your data. Stick to this version for maximum academic 'street cred.'
Notes d'usage
This phrase is strictly formal and academic. It is the standard way to report data in STEM fields and social sciences. Using it correctly demonstrates a high level of English proficiency (C1/C2).
The 'Depends' Trick
If you get confused, just ask: 'Does [X] depend on [Y]?' If yes, [X] is your dependent variable. It's a lifesaver during exams!
Don't Mix Them Up
Never confuse it with the 'independent variable.' The independent one is what YOU change; the dependent one is what happens because of that change.
Sounding Like a 'Pro'
In English-speaking corporate cultures, using this phrase during a presentation makes you look much more prepared and analytical than just saying 'the result.'
Exemples
6The dependent variable was the total mass of the leaves after two weeks.
The measured result was the weight of the leaves after two weeks.
This is the most standard academic use of the phrase.
In our A/B test, the dependent variable was the click-through rate on the email.
In our test, the result we tracked was how many people clicked the email.
Shows the speaker is using a data-driven approach to business.
I tracked my coffee intake, and the dependent variable was how long I slept.
I watched my coffee, and the thing that changed was my sleep time.
A slightly nerdy but clear way to explain a personal project.
Don't forget to mention that the dependent variable was the participants' reaction time!
Remember to say we measured how fast the people reacted!
Used to ensure the technical details of a project are correct.
In this marriage, the dependent variable was unfortunately my sanity.
In this relationship, the thing that changed (and suffered) was my mental health.
Uses scientific language for a humorous, self-deprecating effect.
The dependent variable was the children's reading level at age ten.
The thing we measured was how well the kids read when they were ten.
Used in a serious context to discuss important social outcomes.
Teste-toi
Choose the best word to complete the scientific reporting sentence.
To see if the new fertilizer worked, the dependent ___ was the height of the corn stalks.
In research, the thing you measure is always called a 'variable.'
Complete the sentence to report a study's findings.
The ___ variable was the number of errors made by the tired drivers.
The errors 'depend' on how tired the drivers are, making it the dependent variable.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'The dependent variable was'
Talking to a sibling about a video game.
The result I got was...
Explaining a hobby project to a neighbor.
What I was measuring was...
Writing a thesis or business report.
The dependent variable was...
Publishing in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
The primary dependent variable was observed to be...
When to use 'The dependent variable was'
Science Lab
Measuring chemical reactions.
Business Meeting
Analyzing customer behavior.
University Essay
Reporting on a social experiment.
Tech Startup
Testing a new app feature.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is the 'effect' or the 'result' you are looking for in a test. For example, if you test a new medicine, the patient's health is the dependent variable.
You can, but it usually sounds funny or very 'nerdy.' It is best kept for school, work, or serious discussions about data.
In research, you usually report your findings after the experiment is finished. Therefore, you use the past tense was to describe what happened.
They are similar, but dependent variable is more precise. It tells the reader that this specific result was caused by the factors you were testing.
The opposite is the independent variable. That is the thing you change or control to see what happens.
Yes! You can measure many things at once. You would say, The dependent variables were blood pressure and heart rate.
Not at all! It is used in business, psychology, marketing, and even by people tracking their fitness or spending habits.
Yes, this is standard scientific English used in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and everywhere else academic English is spoken.
The most common mistake is calling the thing you changed the dependent variable. Remember: the change you make is 'independent'; the result is 'dependent.'
No, but it is very common there. You could also say, 'We determined that the dependent variable was the growth rate.'
Expressions liées
The independent variable
The factor that the researcher changes or controls.
Statistically significant
A result that is unlikely to have happened by chance.
Control group
The group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment.
Correlation does not imply causation
A reminder that just because two things happen together doesn't mean one caused the other.
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