it hangs on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it hangs on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is dependent on or influenced by another factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project hangs on the team's ability to collaborate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Life had stopped, like watching a film and suddenly it hangs on one frame.

The New Yorker

The Day By Geoffrey Brock It hangs on its                      stem like a plum at the edge of a                      darkening thicket.

The New York Times

Just like the power button it's clearly designed to replicate, the LED seems to breath as it hangs on its 18-inch sterling silver chain, creating a rather unique piece of jewelry and one that will certainly attract the geeks.

TechCrunch

It hangs on the wall of one of two tennis clubs in suburban towns near Alpine where Uehling has expanded his academy, called CourtSense, and introduced his ideas about tennis and fitness.

The New Yorker

But the all-wheel-drive R32 has a few tricks up its sleeve, one of which is that it hangs on with tenacious grip.

Forbes

Even as it invites us inside, it hangs on to its mysteries.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Will it hang on?

BBC

It hung on the lip, seemingly one revolution from tumbling in.

Huffington Post

For many years, it hung on by its teeth.

The New Yorker

But it hung on.

The New York Times

"It lit him up, and it hung on to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it hangs on" to emphasize a precarious or pivotal dependence. This highlights the importance of the influencing factor.

Common error

Avoid using "it hangs on" when the relationship is merely correlational or suggestive. The phrase implies a strong, often vital, dependence. If it's not a critical dependency, opt for weaker terms like "it relates to" or "it is associated with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it hangs on" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that the subject is dependent upon something else. Ludwig shows this dependence ranges from physical to conditional reliance, implying the outcome or status of 'it' relies upon a particular factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it hangs on" is a versatile and commonly used expression that indicates dependence or contingency. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's crucial to ensure that the dependence being expressed is both clear and significant. Alternatives such as "it depends on" or "it relies on" can be used, but "it hangs on" often carries a stronger sense of precariousness or pivotal reliance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it depends on

Replaces "hangs" with "depends", emphasizing conditional reliance.

it relies on

Substitutes "hangs" with "relies", indicating a dependence for support or existence.

it hinges on

Uses "hinges" instead of "hangs", suggesting that something crucial pivots on a specific factor.

it is contingent on

Replaces "hangs on" with a more formal "is contingent on", indicating dependence on certain conditions.

it is conditional on

Similar to 'contingent on', but emphasizes the conditionality of the situation.

it is subject to

Indicates that the outcome is influenced or controlled by something else.

it is determined by

Highlights that something is decided or influenced by a specific factor.

it is predicated on

A more formal substitute, suggesting that something is based or founded on a particular assumption or condition.

its success relies on

Specifies that the success is dependent on something, adding clarity.

its future depends on

Focuses on the future outcome being reliant on a specific condition.

FAQs

What does "it hangs on" mean?

The phrase "it hangs on" means that something is dependent on or reliant upon something else. It implies that the outcome or success of something is contingent on a particular factor or condition.

How can I use "it hangs on" in a sentence?

You can use "it hangs on" to show dependence. For example: "The project's success "it hangs on" securing additional funding." or "Whether we reach our goal "it hangs on" everyone's contribution."

What are some alternatives to "it hangs on"?

Alternatives to "it hangs on" include phrases such as "it depends on", "it relies on", or "it hinges on". These alternatives convey similar meanings of dependence or contingency.

Is "it hangs on" formal or informal?

"It hangs on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might choose a more sophisticated phrase like "it is contingent on" or "it is predicated on".