The best way to kill a conversation is to keep silent.

The second best way to kill a conversation is to answer someone’s question with a “yes”, “no” or “it DEPENDS” and then keep silent. For example:

A: Which is your favourite holiday season, summer or winter?

B: It DEPENDS ( … followed by the sound of the conversation dying before it has even started!)

If you wish to reply with “it DEPENDS“, then expand on your answer. For example:

A: Which is your favourite holiday season, summer or winter?

B: It DEPENDS. Winter is great for skiing and snowboarding but if I want something more relaxing, then a beach holiday in summer suits me fine. How about you? ( … the conversation takes off and time flies!)

Should you use a fuller sentence with DEPEND, remember that you need the preposition ON.

A: Which is your favourite holiday season, summer or winter?

B: It DEPENDS ON whether I want an active or relaxing holiday.