hinges on

USAGE SUMMARY

'hinges on' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom generally used to mean that something depends on something else for its outcome or existence. For example, "The success of this project hinges on the team's ability to work together effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What is the one thing that everything else hinges on?

The New York Times

But everything hinges on Revis.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything hinges on organization & conviction.

The New Yorker

It hinges on itself.

The New York Times

That hinges on the congresswoman's recovery.

The New York Times

Everything in Cuba hinges on him.

The New Yorker

The deal hinges on standard regulatory approvals.

The New York Times - Tech

Propositional thought hinges on logic and formality.

The New Yorker

But "everything hinges on Sunday," he said.

The New York Times

The whole game hinges on tank washings.

The New Yorker

BEIJING — In Asia, much hinges on China.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hinges on", ensure the sentence clearly identifies both the subject that is dependent and the factor it depends on for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "hinges on of" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "hinges on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hinges on" functions as a phrasal verb indicating that a particular outcome or situation is critically dependent on a specific factor. As Ludwig AI explains, it's an idiom used to express dependence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hinges on" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that indicates dependence or crucial importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, media, and scientific contexts, it's crucial to use it accurately to convey the dependence of an outcome on a specific factor. Remember to avoid the common mistake of writing "hinges on of", and consider alternative phrases like "depends on" or "is contingent upon" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depends entirely upon

Emphasizes complete reliance; stronger degree of dependence.

is contingent upon

Highlights conditionality; focuses on future possibility.

relies heavily on

Stresses significant reliance; indicates substantial dependency.

is predicated on

Highlights the foundation or basis; more formal tone.

turns on

Indicates a critical point of determination; emphasizes pivotal aspect.

is determined by

Focuses on the factor that decides the outcome; emphasizes causality.

is subject to

Implies conditionality or vulnerability; suggests potential influence.

is conditional on

Highlights a specific condition that must be met; emphasizes requirement.

is essential for

Emphasizes necessity; focuses on crucial requirement.

is crucial to

Stresses vital importance; indicates a critical factor.

FAQs

How can I use "hinges on" in a sentence?

Use "hinges on" to indicate that the outcome or success of something depends critically on a particular factor. For example, "The project's success hinges on securing adequate funding."

What's a good substitute for "hinges on"?

You can use alternatives like "depends on", "relies on", or "is contingent upon" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "hinges on of" instead of "hinges on"?

No, "hinges on of" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and commonly accepted form is simply "hinges on".

How formal is the phrase "hinges on"?

"Hinges on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more formal synonyms like "is predicated on" might be preferred in highly academic or professional writing.