fate lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fate lies with" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to suggest that someone's destiny or future is determined by outside forces or circumstances. It can also imply a sense of surrender to these forces. Example: As she stood at the crossroads of her career, she couldn't help but feel that her fate lied with the outcome of this one important decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The final decision on the Dinky's fate lies with New Jersey Transit.

The New York Times

Ultimately, Mr. Kerrey's fate lies with the university's board of trustees, which after Wednesday's no-confidence vote issued a brief statement of unanimous support for the president, whose contract runs through 2011.

The New York Times

The Obama agenda's fate lies with conservatives such as Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee, and Reps.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Though only five feet tall, she often traveled alone into many of the city's roughest neighborhoods to interview relatives of children whose fate lay with the courts so she could represent those children as effectively as possible.

The New York Times

"Our fate lies within us.

The Guardian

25 Its fate lies almost entirely with metabolizing bacteria, which could promote hypoxic or anoxic conditions in the deep ocean.

Environmental Health Perspectives

His fate now lies with his coalition partner, the Northern League, which is growing increasingly restive, and no one has ruled out early elections.

The New York Times

Mr. Papandreou's political fate now lies with his fellow members of the Socialist Party, which is divided between reform-minded politicians who think he has failed to deliver promised changes; his die-hard supporters; and traditionalists loath to dismantle the welfare state they helped build.

The New York Times

His fate lies in the management's hands.

The Guardian - Sport

Because this is a club whose fate lies in his hands, of course.

Independent

It's uncertain fate lies partly in the fact that Renzi is allowing members of his party to "vote with their conscience", including conservative Catholic members who are opposed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fate lies with" to emphasize that an outcome is not self-determined, but rather contingent on external factors or decisions made by others.

Common error

Avoid using "fate lies with" when you intend to convey personal agency or control. The phrase implies a lack of individual power to influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fate lies with" functions as a predicative expression, attributing the power of determining an outcome to a specific entity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show it's used to highlight dependency on external forces.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fate lies with" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that an outcome or destiny is dependent on external factors. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to emphasize this dependency and attribute influence. While "fate lies with" is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, be mindful of its implications regarding personal agency. Consider related phrases like "destiny rests on" or "future depends on" to fine-tune your message. The limited frequency and use across various media suggest a deliberate, rather than casual, application of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destiny rests on

Replaces "fate" with "destiny" and uses "rests on" to indicate dependence.

the decision lies with

Focuses specifically on the act of deciding and where that authority resides.

future depends on

Substitutes "fate" with "future" and employs "depends on" to show reliance.

the responsibility rests with

Focuses on the accountability and where it rests.

outcome hinges on

Uses "outcome" instead of "fate" and "hinges on" to express critical dependence.

accountability rests with

Highlights where the accountability lies.

responsibility falls to

Shifts focus to responsibility rather than fate, indicating where accountability resides.

power resides in

Emphasizes the location of power or authority, rather than destiny.

control is in the hands of

Highlights that control, not necessarily fate, is with someone or something.

it's up to

A more informal way of saying that the decision or outcome is dependent on someone.

FAQs

How can I use "fate lies with" in a sentence?

Use "fate lies with" to indicate that someone's future or destiny is dependent on a particular person, group, or event. For example, "The company's fate lies with the success of this new product launch".

What are some alternatives to "fate lies with"?

You can use alternatives like "destiny rests on", "future depends on", or "outcome hinges on" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "fate lies with" in formal writing?

Yes, "fate lies with" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing situations where external factors significantly influence outcomes. However, consider alternatives if you want to emphasize agency or control.

What does "fate lies with" imply about personal control?

"Fate lies with" suggests that personal control is limited. It highlights that external factors or decisions made by others are the primary determinants of the outcome, rather than individual actions.