are relied on

USAGE SUMMARY

"are relied on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something or someone is trusted to provide support or assistance. For example: "The volunteers are relied on to provide much-needed help for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The cuts could have a "devastating knock-on effect for society" as services which are relied on by many vulnerable people are put in jeopardy, the business adviser warned.

Independent

GE found that Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications are relied on by 64% power and energy (utilities) companies to succeed with their digital transformation initiatives.

Forbes

"There are other examples of industries that lobby a lot and also are relied on by Members, such as airlines they use to fly home and broadcasters they use for campaign advertisements, but this is a bit different.

Vice

As t-tests are uncorrected, F-tests are relied on for significance testing of effects.

BMC Public Health

Additional empirical research is needed to determine what approaches are relied on in these settings to link trials to justice in global health.

BMC Medical Ethics

In science as well as in law, experts are relied on to reduce ambiguity, to make it appear as if only one story can be told on the basis of the available evidence.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I was relying on running fast and hanging on".

The New York Times - Sports

Many firms are relying on multiple strategies.

The New York Times

Many are relying on faith.

The New York Times

Policy makers are relying on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The New York Times

Too many comics are relying on her.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are relied on", ensure that the subject performing the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Techniques are relied on", specify "Researchers are relied on for specific techniques".

Common error

Avoid using "are relied on" excessively in passive voice, which can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active voice where appropriate to create more engaging and direct sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are relied on" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject receives the action of being relied upon. This grammatical structure emphasizes the entity or concept that provides support or assistance, as evidenced by the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are relied on" is a common passive construction used to emphasize the dependence and trustworthiness of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news-related content, indicating its utility in formal and objective communication. When using "are relied on", ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the relying. To avoid overuse of passive voice, consider rephrasing sentences to use active voice for a more direct and engaging writing style. Synonyms include "are depended upon" and "are counted on", which offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are depended upon

Uses a direct synonym for "relied", maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

are dependent on

Focuses on the condition of dependence, highlighting the necessity of something for another's existence or function.

are counted on

Employs a more informal synonym for "relied", suggesting a degree of trust and expectation.

are leaned on

Presents a slightly more informal and metaphorical alternative, suggesting seeking support or help.

are contingent on

Emphasizes that something is conditional and subject to change based on another factor.

are trusted

Shifts the focus to trust, implying that something or someone is considered trustworthy and dependable.

are banked on

Implies a high degree of certainty and expectation, suggesting that success is highly probable.

are used as a basis

Highlights the foundational aspect of reliance, indicating that something serves as a starting point or justification.

are resorted to

Suggests using something as a last option when other methods have failed, implying a sense of urgency or necessity.

are employed

Replaces "relied on" with a more general term for using something, suitable when focusing on the act of utilization.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the sentence "The system updates are relied on by the IT department"?

You can rephrase it as "The IT department "depends on" the system updates" or "The IT department "counts on" the system updates" for a more direct and active voice.

Is there a difference between "are relied on" and "are dependent on"?

While both phrases indicate a form of dependence, "are relied on" implies trust and expectation of support, whereas "are dependent on" simply states that one thing is contingent on another without necessarily implying trust. Thus, "are relied on" can suggest trust, while "are dependent on" simply indicates a conditional relationship.

When is it appropriate to use "are relied on" in formal writing?

"Are relied on" is suitable in formal writing when you want to emphasize the dependability or trustworthiness of a particular resource or entity. For example, "Peer-reviewed studies "are relied on" as authoritative sources of information".

What are some common synonyms for the phrase "are relied on"?

Common synonyms include "are depended upon", "are counted on", and "are trusted". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.