Can I rely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Can I rely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking if you can depend on someone or something for support or assistance. Example: "Can I rely on you to help me with this project?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Can I rely on your brother?" Dr. Galynker asked Ms. Fama.

The New York Times

Can I rely on my London home as a source of cash in retirement?

The Guardian - Money

Who can I rely on?" How do you address the anxiety over the TPP?

Los Angeles Times

Or can I rely on the Whole Foods rating system which purports to show how humanely animals were raised?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Moreover, as a late-boomer can I really rely on any Social Security?

Huffington Post

"I think it's because I know I can rely on [my defence]," she said.

Independent

I never feel I can rely on my professionalism; I worry a film's going to be a bit vulgar, a bit banal".

The Guardian - Film

FC does a great job curating the discounts they offer; if I'm travelling to an unfamiliar city, I know I can rely on the hotel options to be pretty high-quality".

TechCrunch

I can still sit here because I can rely on my husband; otherwise, my own salary would not be enough to buy medicine [if I get sick].

BMC Health Services Research

I know I can rely on your co-operation.

The Guardian

I know I can rely on this newsroom to do this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking "Can I rely on...?", clearly specify what you need the person or thing to be reliable for to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Can I rely on you to finish the report by Friday?" is more effective than simply "Can I rely on you?"

Common error

Avoid automatically assuming someone or something is reliable without assessing their capabilities or past performance. Always consider their track record before placing your reliance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Can I rely" serves as an interrogative expression used to inquire about the reliability or dependability of a person, system, or object. It's used to assess whether one can place trust or confidence in the subject being questioned. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Can I rely" is a grammatically correct and usable interrogative phrase used to inquire about the reliability or dependability of a person or thing. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While it appears more frequently in news and media contexts, its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what the reliance pertains to, and avoid making assumptions without assessing the subject's capabilities. Alternative phrases such as "can I count on" or "can I depend on" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Can I count on

Replaces "rely" with "count on", which has a very similar meaning.

Can I depend on

Substitutes "rely" with "depend on", another synonym with almost identical meaning.

Can I bank on

Uses the idiom "bank on", implying a high degree of certainty in reliance.

Am I able to trust

Shifts the focus to trust, implying reliance on someone's integrity.

Can I be assured of

Highlights the need for assurance or confirmation regarding reliability.

Is it safe to assume

Highlights the aspect of assuming something will happen, which is a component of reliance.

May I presume

Similar to 'assume' but slightly more formal.

Is it reasonable to expect

Focuses on the expectation of a particular outcome, related to reliance.

Can I guarantee

Focuses on the certainty and assurance of reliance, specifically requesting confirmation that something can be guaranteed

Can I take for granted

Explores the idea of relying on something to the point of taking it for granted.

FAQs

What does "Can I rely on someone" mean?

Asking "Can I rely on someone" implies wanting to know if you can depend on them to fulfill a responsibility, provide support, or be trustworthy in a given situation. It's a direct way of inquiring about their dependability.

What can I say instead of "Can I rely on"?

You can use alternatives like "can I count on", "can I depend on", or "am I able to trust" depending on the context.

How to use "Can I rely on" in a sentence?

You can use "Can I rely on" to ask about someone's dependability: "Can I rely on you to keep this secret?". It can also refer to trusting a method or system: "Can I rely on this data to make decisions?".

When is it inappropriate to ask "Can I rely on someone"?

It might be inappropriate to ask "Can I rely on someone" if you have a long history of mistrust with that person, or if the task is far beyond their known capabilities. In such cases, it may be more prudent to seek assistance elsewhere, rather than put someone on the spot and risk a negative outcome.