es kommt darauf an

It Depends on (Es Kommt Darauf an)

Level 5

The phrase es kommt darauf an is the standard German way to say 'it depends.' It uses the separable verb ankommen combined with the preposition auf (+ Accusative).

How It Works

This construction is a 'formulaic sequence' essential for B1 fluency. It consists of the impersonal subject es, the verb kommt, the da-compound darauf, and the prefix an. While es is grammatically required in formal writing and full sentences, it is very frequently omitted in casual spoken German, especially in the common short-form response: Kommt drauf an.

1. The Role of 'Darauf'
The word darauf acts as a placeholder for the information coming later in the sentence. In spoken German, it is almost always contracted to drauf ('Es kommt drauf an...').

2. When to Omit 'Darauf'
If you follow the phrase immediately with a noun rather than a clause, you must drop the da- and use the preposition auf followed by the Accusative case:
• Es kommt auf das Wetter an. (It depends on the weather.)
• Es kommt darauf an, wie das Wetter ist. (It depends on how the weather is.)

3. Subordinate Clauses
When using this pattern with ob, dass, or wie/was/wer, remember that these trigger subordinate clause word order, meaning the conjugated verb moves to the very end of that clause.

4. Nuance vs. 'Es hängt davon ab'
While often interchangeable, es kommt darauf an is more situational and common in speech. Es hängt davon ab implies a stricter, more formal causal link.

Examples (5)

  1. Kommt drauf an.

    It depends.

    Word by Word: Comes there-on at.

    This is the most common way to say 'It depends' as a standalone answer in casual conversation.

  2. Es kommt darauf an, ob er Zeit hat.

    It depends on whether he has time.

    Word by Word: It comes there-on at, whether he time has.

    Note how the verb 'hat' moves to the end because of the 'ob' clause.

  3. Es kommt darauf an, dass wir pünktlich sind.

    It is essential that we are on time.

    Word by Word: It comes there-on at, that we punctual are.

    When followed by 'dass', the meaning shifts from 'it depends' to 'what matters is' or 'it is essential'.

  4. Es kommt auf jeden Einzelnen an.

    It depends on every single person.

    Word by Word: It comes on every single-one at.

    Since a noun phrase follows immediately, 'darauf' is replaced by the simple preposition 'auf'.

  5. Darauf kommt es jetzt nicht an.

    That’s not what matters right now.

    Word by Word: There-on comes it now not at.

    Here, 'darauf' is moved to the front for emphasis, meaning 'that specific point is not the important one'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'darauf' and 'auf' together before a noun.

    Es kommt darauf auf den Preis an.
    Es kommt auf den Preis an.

    If you name the object (the price) immediately, you don't need the placeholder 'darauf'. Use only 'auf'.

  • Incorrect word order in the dependent clause.

    Es kommt darauf an, ob er hat Zeit.
    Es kommt darauf an, ob er Zeit hat.

    The 'ob' clause is a subordinate clause, so the verb must go to the end.

  • Forgetting the separable prefix 'an'.

    Es kommt darauf, wie er reagiert.
    Es kommt darauf an, wie er reagiert.

    The verb is 'ankommen'. Without the 'an' at the end, the sentence is incomplete and loses its meaning.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

es kommt darauf anLevel 5It Depends on (Es Kommt Darauf an)

Learn This First

To understand 'es kommt darauf an', a learner needs to be familiar with how German verbs use fixed prepositions and how 'da-compounds' (like darauf) function as placeholders for upcoming subordinate clauses, particularly indirect questions starting with 'ob'.

Words in This Pattern

es kommt darauf an