I counted on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I counted on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express reliance or expectation regarding someone or something. Example: "I counted on you to help me with the project, but you didn't show up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"That's something I counted on".

The New York Times

Media captionThe BBC's Jim Muir: "I counted on just one video about 48 bodies" His comments came after the discovery of dozens of bodies in Aleppo.

BBC

Of the twenty-four acthat that I counted on the various stages, three did themselves in; one actually shot himself in the head three times — a victim of artistic license, not of poor marksmanship.

The New Yorker

I counted on you.

The New Yorker

"I counted on Jean.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was what I counted on.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For the Elicker campaign's July SEEC Form20 filing I counted on-line and my wife Kati did the double check.

Huffington Post

Who can I count on?

The Guardian - Books

Who could I count on in a crisis?

The Washington Post

Usually, he is one of many people I count on.

University of California, Berkeley

I count on my repeats.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I counted on" when you want to express that you expected something to happen or someone to act in a particular way. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I counted on" when the expectation was merely a hope or a wish, and not a reasonable assumption based on prior knowledge or agreement. Use phrases like "I hoped" or "I wished" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I counted on" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing reliance or expectation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a standard and usable English phrase. Examples demonstrate its use in expressing dependence on people or expected outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I counted on" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey reliance or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct. It appears frequently in news media, academic, and business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While "I relied on" and "I depended on" serve as effective alternatives, it's essential to ensure that the level of certainty aligns with the context to avoid miscommunication. The phrase's widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I relied on

Emphasizes dependence and trust in someone or something.

I depended on

Highlights the necessity of someone or something for support or success.

I was banking on

Implies a strong expectation or assumption that something would happen or be available.

I was expecting

Focuses on the anticipation of something happening.

I anticipated

Suggests a proactive expectation, often based on prior knowledge or planning.

I had faith in

Conveys a sense of trust and belief in someone or something's ability to deliver.

I trusted in

Highlights reliance based on confidence and belief in someone or something.

I was assured of

Indicates confidence based on a promise or guarantee.

I took for granted

Implies that something was assumed to be available or reliable without much thought.

I presumed

Suggests an assumption made without concrete evidence.

FAQs

What does "I counted on" mean?

The phrase "I counted on" means that you expected something to happen or that you relied on someone to do something. It implies a degree of certainty or expectation based on prior knowledge or agreement.

How can I use "I counted on" in a sentence?

You can use "I counted on" to express reliance or expectation. For example, "I counted on you to help with the project, but you were unavailable."

What can I say instead of "I counted on"?

You can use alternatives like "I relied on", "I depended on", or "I was banking on" depending on the context.

Is "I counted on" formal or informal?

"I counted on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of situations.