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When I want to say an expression (or expressions) means different things in different situations, should I say which of the following (I assume a context won't work)?

  • The meaning depends on (contexts, context, the context).

For other examples:

  • "I'm sorry" has different implications, depending on (contexts, context, the context)
  • It depends on (contexts, context, the context) which of Expression A and Expression B is more appropriate.

There may be, again, contextual factors that affects whether the context is appropriate, but mainly I'm thinking when I answer questions asked in the generic setting (like Does expression X mean such and such?).

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    Plural contexts isn't idiomatic here. Whether or not to include the article is a stylistic choice that has no effect on meaning, but I'd say "It would depend on the context" if I was being relatively formal, otherwise just "It depends on context" for short and to the point.
    – FumbleFingers
    Commented Apr 29 at 3:34

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"context" or "the context" would be equally acceptable. The word is treated as uncountable.

In this case I don't really see any difference from adding the article. Omitting it is a stylistic choice. It makes the sentence a little more terse.

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  • Does that extend to other nouns: preference, taste, style ... (to me, similar in countability) and factor, situation,... (that look "more countable" to me)?
    – sundowner
    Commented Apr 29 at 11:50
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    Yes, I'd say those would be treated as non-count in that context.
    – James K
    Commented Apr 29 at 20:38

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