TITLE: Depth of ideals in a commutative ring
QUESTION [9 upvotes]: Let $I, J \subset S = k[x_1,\dots,x_n]$ be two monomial ideals and $k$ a field. If every element of $S$ which is $S/J$-regular is also $S/I$-regular is it true that depth$_S S/I \geq$ depth$_S S/J$ ?

REPLY [6 votes]: $R = k[a,b,c,d]$, $I= (a, b)\cap (c,d)$ and $J = (ac, bd) = (a, b) \cap (a, d)\cap (c, b)\cap (c, d)$. Then $\mathrm{Ass}R/I \subseteq \mathrm{Ass}R/J$. Hence if $x$ is a regular element of $R/J$ then $x$ is a regular element of $R/I$ but $\mathrm{depth}R/I = 1$ and $\mathrm{depth}R/J = 2$.