depend heavily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depend heavily" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to rely on something or someone a lot or to be greatly influenced or affected by something. Example sentence: In order to succeed as an entrepreneur, you must depend heavily on your team's skills and expertise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They depend heavily on electronic equipment.

The New Yorker

All depend heavily on a working Internet.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, food charities depend heavily on local donations.

The New York Times

Their reactions depend heavily upon both personality and organizational culture.

Harvard Business Review

Many musicians depend heavily on intuition in solving performance problems.

Britannica

Prevention claims will depend heavily on biomarker outcomes.

Alzheimer's & Dementia

Lotulelei's professional future could depend heavily on what doctors find.

The New York Times - Sports

They also depend heavily on their domestic markets.

The Economist

They depend heavily on tips for their living.

The New York Times

Of course, both our research and teaching mission depend heavily on the quality of our faculty.

Stanford University

To do this research, geneticists depend heavily on data from family tree studies.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "depend heavily" with quantifying adverbs or adjectives to provide a more precise understanding of the extent of reliance, such as "almost entirely" or "to a significant degree".

Common error

Avoid using "depend heavily" repetitively within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "rely significantly", "hinge critically", or restructuring sentences to express dependence in different ways.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depend heavily" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a strong reliance or contingency. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It specifies that one thing is significantly reliant on another, a relationship supported by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "depend heavily" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that conveys a strong sense of reliance or contingency. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. Its usage spans news, scientific research, and academic discourse, indicating its versatility and acceptance in both formal and informal settings. When using "depend heavily", ensure clarity by specifying the nature and extent of the dependence, and avoid overuse by employing synonyms like "rely substantially" or "hinge critically". Given its frequency and applicability, understanding the nuances of "depend heavily" is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely substantially

Replaces "depend" with "rely" and "heavily" with "substantially", indicating a significant level of reliance.

lean significantly

Substitutes "depend" with "lean" and "heavily" with "significantly", suggesting a notable degree of dependence.

hinge critically

Replaces "depend" with "hinge" and "heavily" with "critically", emphasizing the crucial nature of the reliance.

rest greatly on

Uses "rest" instead of "depend", and "greatly" instead of "heavily", conveying a similar sense of reliance.

be strongly influenced by

Changes the structure to a passive voice, focusing on the influence rather than the act of depending.

be largely determined by

Shifts the focus to determination, implying that the outcome is significantly affected by something.

be vitally contingent on

Replaces "depend" with "contingent" and "heavily" with "vitally", highlighting the essential dependence.

draw extensively from

Indicates a strong reliance on a source or resource, implying significant usage.

place considerable weight on

Emphasizes the importance or value placed on something, indicating a strong reliance.

count decisively on

Replaces "depend" with "count" and "heavily" with "decisively", stressing the critical nature of the reliance.

FAQs

How can I use "depend heavily" in a sentence?

You can use "depend heavily" to indicate a strong reliance on something. For example, "The project's success "depends heavily" on securing funding."

What are some alternatives to "depend heavily"?

Alternatives include phrases like "rely substantially", "lean significantly", or "hinge critically".

Is "depend heavily" formal or informal?

"Depend heavily" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing depending on the specific tone desired.

What's the difference between "depend heavily" and "depend slightly"?

"Depend heavily" indicates a strong reliance, while "depend slightly" suggests only a minor or minimal reliance. The choice depends on the degree of dependence you wish to convey.