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dependant  –  dependent:

[almost the same pronunciation]

{Some grammarians and dictionaries accept ‘dependent’ as the variation of , another spelling for, ‘dependant’; however, when it comes to referring to a person only, it is “dependant”, and when this word is used as an adjective qualifying a noun — a person or a thing — it must be spelled “independent”! In American English, ‘independent’, with an ‘e’ after the second ‘d’, is used for both purposes!!}

“Dependant” (noun & always refers to a person) is ‘a person who needs another person or thing to survive; a person who depends on another person for support, such as food, money, clothing, etc.’,

one man & two young dependants

e.g.

He has four dependants; his mother, wife and two children.

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“Dependent” (adjective & can be used for a person or thing) is ‘needing something or someone in order to exist, be successful’; [in grammar] ‘a phrase or clause that is not the main part (not the governing part) in a sentence’,

children dependent on others

e.g.

Children are completely dependent on their parents.

He stopped playing because he was tired.  ['He stopped playing' is the "independent" or "main" clause and 'because he was tired' is the "dependent" or "subordinate" clause in this complex sentence.]

[The opposite word in meaning to "dependent" is "independent". The common preposition that usually comes after ‘dependent’ is on or upon; and the preposition that comes after ‘dependant’ is for.]

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