What is the antonym of the verb "to depend"?

Question

I've found in this community this question and this other question mentioning the antonym of the adjective dependent, which is independent.

What I wanted to know is how to use a proper antonym verb for to depend, since there is no such a thing as to independ?

This would be used in a context like:

The figures also show that the convergence behavior [independs] on the number of terms.

What is the Portuguese verb, have you looked up the translation in a bilingual dictionary, and what did it say? — RegDwigнt, May 26 '14 at 08:51
@RegDwigнt the portuguese verb is independer and the bilingual dictionary suggests to use is independent or are independent depending on the context... — Saullo G. P. Castro, May 26 '14 at 08:55

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered May 26 '14 at 07:08

3

As "not depend" is the opposite of "depend, "does not depend" should serve you well.

answered May 26 '14 at 07:08

sheeldotme

Elian · Answer 2 · 2014-05-26T08:46:29.790

2

The figures also show that the convergence behavior "is sufficient unto itself".

The figures also show that the convergence behavior "can dispense with/can do without" the number of terms.

*The figures also show that the convergence behavior "can work on its own without" the number of terms".

edited May 26 '14 at 08:46

answered May 26 '14 at 07:14

Elian

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited May 26 '14 at 08:51

1

Another good possibility is to use the adjective independent:

The figures also show that the convergence behavior is independent of the number of terms.

edited May 26 '14 at 08:51

RegDwigнt

answered May 26 '14 at 07:12

1

Independent takes the preposition of, so it should be "the convergence behaviour is independent of the number of terms". – May 26 '14 at 07:56
@RahulNarain thank you very much for the feedback... how do you know that it takes the preposition "of"? – Saullo G. P. Castro May 26 '14 at 07:58
1

Sadly, there is no logical reason why it goes dependent on but independent of, but this is how prepositions are in English. You can look up usage examples in a dictionary, such as here, entry 1c(1): "independent of her parents". – May 26 '14 at 08:07

3 Answers3