counting on

USAGE SUMMARY

"counting on" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing hope and confidence that something will happen or that someone will do something. For example: I'm counting on you to help me with this project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Iran is counting on that.

The Economist

Tennessee was counting on that.

The New York Times - Sports

No one was counting on leftovers.

The New York Times

I'm counting on you".

The New York Times

We are counting on them".

Independent

Indeed, he's counting on it.

The New Yorker

He is counting on it.

The Economist

I'm not counting on it.

The New York Times

"I'm counting on Bud.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm counting on losing.

The Guardian - Books

I've been counting on your decency!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "counting on" when you want to express confidence in someone's ability or willingness to do something. For instance: "I'm counting on you to deliver the presentation on time".

Common error

Avoid using "counting on" when there's a high degree of uncertainty. If the outcome is doubtful, consider using phrases like "hoping for" or "wishing for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "counting on" functions as a predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its use in expressing reliance or dependence. It indicates that the speaker is relying on someone or something to fulfill an expectation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "counting on" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrasal verb that conveys reliance and expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business and scientific publications. When writing, use "counting on" to express confidence in someone's ability or willingness to act, but avoid it when the outcome is highly uncertain. Alternatives like "relying upon" or "depending on" can be used for nuanced meanings. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing trust and reliance in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on

A general and widely interchangeable term.

depending upon

Slightly more formal than "depending on".

relying upon

Formal alternative emphasizing dependence.

banking on

Implies a degree of certainty or expectation of success.

trusting in

Highlights the element of trust and faith.

placing reliance on

A more formal and emphatic way of saying relying on.

having faith in

Emphasizes the belief that something will happen as expected.

presuming

Similar to assuming but can imply a higher degree of confidence.

assuming

Suggests taking something for granted, which may or may not be reliable.

anticipating

Focuses on expecting something to happen and planning accordingly.

FAQs

How do you use "counting on" in a sentence?

You can use "counting on" to express reliance or dependence on someone or something. For example, "We are counting on you to finish the project by Friday".

What can I say instead of "counting on"?

You can use alternatives like "relying upon", "depending on", or "trusting in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I'm counting on that"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "I'm counting on that" implies that you are confident or expecting something to happen or someone to do something.

What's the difference between "depending on" and "counting on"?

While both phrases express reliance, "counting on" often implies a stronger sense of trust and expectation than "depending on".