are reliant on

USAGE SUMMARY

"are reliant on" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to express the idea that something or someone depends on something else for support. For example, "People are reliant on modern technology for daily tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

7. Joy and sadness not only coexist, but are reliant on one another.

Huffington Post

We next assessed if Clu or dGRASP are reliant on one another for their perinuclear localization.

Biology Open

"Midwives are reliant on unsocial hours payments.

Independent

Like Jose, some of the campers are reliant on wheelchairs.

The New York Times

Some schools are reliant on parents to pay the wages of unqualified teachers.

The Guardian

The euro zone is bank-dependent and its banks are reliant on market funding.

The Economist

We are reliant on the U.S. for trade and our economy.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who run power stations, desalination plants and the like are reliant on them.

The Economist

If students are reliant on loan funding, we offer them payment plans," says Walker.

Independent

Those families are reliant on a shrinking pools of benefits and tax credits.

Independent

Telica's farmers are reliant on a limited number of rainfed crops, namely beans and maize.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are reliant on", ensure the context clearly indicates what is providing the support or dependence. Avoid vague references to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "are reliant on" when a weaker connection, such as influence or correlation, is more accurate. Overstating the dependence can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are reliant on" functions as a linking verb phrase, connecting a subject to a predicate adjective that describes the subject's state of dependence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are reliant on" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote dependence or reliance. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the nature and degree of dependency are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While synonymous alternatives exist, "are reliant on" maintains a formal tone suitable for analytical writing. Remember to use it to emphasize how something's functionality or existence is connected to another entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

This is a more common and slightly less formal way to express reliance.

be contingent on

This indicates that something is dependent on certain conditions being met.

be conditional on

Similar to "be contingent on", emphasizing the role of conditions.

hinge on

This suggests that something is critically dependent on something else, where success or failure is at stake.

turn on

Suggests a critical dependence where the outcome varies based on another factor.

rest on

Indicates that something is supported or based on something else.

be subject to

Suggests that something is controlled or affected by something else.

be underpinned by

This suggests that something is fundamentally supported or based on something else.

be at the mercy of

Implies a lack of control and vulnerability to something else.

owe its existence to

This highlights that the existence of something depends entirely on another factor.

FAQs

How can I use "are reliant on" in a sentence?

You can use "are reliant on" to show dependence. For example, "Many businesses "are reliant on technology" for their operations".

What is a good alternative to "are reliant on"?

Alternatives include "depend on", "hinge on", or "be contingent on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "are reliant on" or "are dependent on"?

Both "are reliant on" and "are dependent on" are correct and have similar meanings. "Dependent" is slightly more common, but "reliant" can add a subtle nuance of trust or confidence in the source of dependence.

What does it mean when something is described as "are reliant on"?

It signifies that the subject's functioning, success, or existence is closely and necessarily tied to the support, resources, or actions provided by something else. Consider: "The project's success "is reliant on funding"".