be reliant upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be reliant upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing dependence or reliance on something or someone. Example: "In times of crisis, many people tend to be reliant upon their close friends and family for support."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Offensively, much of the burden will be reliant upon what Mauro Rosales can create in however many minutes he's able to play, as he's been the catalyst for much of the offense of late.

The Guardian - Sport

Without John Terry's organisational skills they looked utterly rudderless, but to be reliant upon a 35-year-old who has been surviving on one-year contract extensions for three seasons seems vaguely ludicrous.

The Guardian - Sport

"If the proposals go through, funding would drop dramatically and – worse case scenario – we'd be reliant upon other funding streams to keep us afloat plus a substantial amount of money from Shelter to plug the gaps".

The Guardian

Gyimah put it starkly, saying that we will have surrendered our voice, our vote and our veto, and we will be reliant upon the EU to strike a deal that lies in our national interest.

The Guardian - Opinion

More than ever, we will be reliant upon assistance from partners such as the United States and Britain, and global health organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Gavi, to help rebuild our health systems, invest in health facilities, staff and equipment and restore immunization levels.

The Washington Post

The pacifist, underfunded, and underorganized Barelvi--with the exception of the reliably violent MQM in Karachi--appear to be reliant upon Pakistan's rickety and equivocal civilian government to take the battle to the Taliban.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Many teams are reliant upon a large number of short-term staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

Are they less of a victim than people who are reliant upon social services?

The Guardian

Nasser Hussain Fletcher was reliant upon a steadfast captain to put his theories into effect.

The Guardian - Sport

If I had been reliant upon social services I would have had none of this.

The Guardian

Everyone in the network is reliant upon other companies in the network for those resources.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally or in technical contexts, "be reliant upon" can add a layer of sophistication compared to the simpler "rely on". However, ensure it fits the overall tone and doesn't sound overly verbose.

Common error

While grammatically correct, consistently using "be reliant upon" in casual writing or speech can make your language sound stilted. Opt for "rely on" or "depend on" in informal settings for a more natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be reliant upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating dependence or reliance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. It's typically used to show that one thing is contingent or dependent on another, as seen in examples like "success will be reliant upon well-conceived research initiatives."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be reliant upon" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate dependence or reliance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its use across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While simpler alternatives like "rely on" or "depend on" exist, "be reliant upon" adds a slightly more formal tone, making it suitable for academic or professional writing. It's crucial to consider the context and audience to avoid sounding overly verbose. Although the phrase is considered valid, it is important to notice that the algorithm identifies a preference for more frequent expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

This is a more direct and commonly used synonym, lacking the slightly formal tone of "be reliant upon".

rely on

Similar to "depend on", this phrase is a simpler and more versatile alternative, suitable for most contexts.

be dependent on

A direct synonym, but might sound slightly more clinical or formal than "depend on" or "rely on".

be contingent on

This phrase emphasizes that something is conditional and depends on something else happening.

be conditional on

Similar to "be contingent on", this phrase highlights the dependence on a specific condition being met.

be predicated on

This indicates that something is founded or based on a particular assumption or condition.

hinge on

This suggests that something's success or outcome completely depends on a specific factor.

rest on

This implies that something is supported or based on a particular foundation or element.

be subject to

This phrase suggests that something is controlled or influenced by another factor or condition.

turn on

Suggests that the outcome or success is determined by a single factor or event.

FAQs

What does "be reliant upon" mean?

The phrase "be reliant upon" means to depend on something or someone for support, help, or resources. It indicates a state of needing or depending on someone or something else.

What can I say instead of "be reliant upon"?

You can use alternatives like "depend on", "rely on", or "be contingent on" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "rely on" or "be reliant upon"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "rely on" is generally more common and less formal. "Be reliant upon" can be used in formal or technical writing, but it's essential to consider the overall tone and audience. In most everyday contexts, "rely on" is preferable for its simplicity.

When is it appropriate to use "be reliant upon"?

The phrase "be reliant upon" is appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or technical reports where a more sophisticated tone is desired. However, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound stilted. For example, when writing a scientific paper you could state that “The experiment's success will be reliant upon precise measurements”