depends exclusively on

USAGE SUMMARY

"depends exclusively on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is completely reliant on a particular factor. For example, "The success of this project depends exclusively on the team's ability to work together."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr. Yeltsin has created a system of government that depends exclusively on the power of one man: himself.

The New York Times

The first one considers that MWL is a factor that depends exclusively on task demands to which the subject adapts.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Initial gt expression depends exclusively on inputs from maternal factors.

Developmental Biology

The endangered black-footed ferret, once thought extinct, depends exclusively on prairie dogs for food.

The New York Times

Lavandula stoechas subsp. pedunculata regeneration depends exclusively on the establishment of new individuals.

Acta Oecologica

The experiments revealed that the development of renal tubules depends exclusively on the administration of aldosterone.

Biomaterials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The construction of visual objects does not depend exclusively on sensory cues but is shaped also by experience-dependent expectations.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The novel flavin-dependent thymidylate synthase, ThyX, is absent in humans but several pathogenic bacteria depend exclusively on ThyX activity to synthesize thymidylate.

Journal of Molecular Biology

That performance does not depend exclusively on network ratings.

The New York Times

Further disbursement of aid – €2.8bn – will depend exclusively on the painful measures being passed.

The Guardian

But the site is too large to depend exclusively on these rescuers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "depends exclusively on", ensure that the context clearly establishes the single, critical factor for accurate and impactful communication.

Common error

Avoid using "depends exclusively on" if other factors significantly contribute, even if one factor is primary. Instead, use phrases like "depends primarily on" or "depends largely on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "depends exclusively on" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating that something is solely reliant on a particular element. This construction emphasizes a singular dependency for an event or condition to occur, which, according to Ludwig, is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "depends exclusively on" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to express sole reliance on a particular factor. As confirmed by Ludwig, its function is to highlight a critical, singular dependency for an outcome. It is commonly used in scientific and news contexts, as well as academic writing, to emphasize a key condition or determinant. When using this phrase, it's crucial to accurately reflect the exclusive nature of the dependence, avoiding overstatement if other factors also play a role. Alternatives like "relies solely on" or "hinges entirely on" can offer similar emphasis while varying in formality. Proper use of "depends exclusively on" ensures clarity and precision in conveying the importance of a single, critical element.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relies solely on

This alternative uses "relies" instead of "depends" and "solely" instead of "exclusively", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

hinges entirely on

This alternative suggests that something is critical, and its outcome is fully determined by something else.

is completely contingent on

This alternative uses more formal language, emphasizing conditionality.

is absolutely dependent on

This version amplifies the idea of reliance through the use of "absolutely".

is strictly determined by

This focuses on the idea that something is rigidly controlled by a single factor.

is exclusively determined by

This alternative focuses on the determination aspect, with the same exclusive condition.

is uniquely predicated on

This is a more formal alternative, using "predicated" to imply a foundational dependence.

is nothing without

This alternative emphasizes the importance to the point of uselessness without the other factor

is bound by

Highlights restriction and necessity through a single factor.

is governed solely by

This alternative suggests that the focus is a rule or principle determining the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "depends exclusively on" in a sentence?

Use "depends exclusively on" to highlight that one specific factor is entirely responsible for a particular outcome. For example, "The project's success "depends exclusively on" securing funding."

What are some alternatives to "depends exclusively on"?

You can use alternatives like "relies solely on", "hinges entirely on", or "is completely contingent on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "depends exclusively of" instead of "depends exclusively on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "depends exclusively" is "on". "Depends exclusively of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "depends exclusively on" and "depends primarily on"?

"Depends exclusively on" indicates complete reliance on a single factor, while "depends primarily on" suggests that one factor is most important, but other factors may also contribute.