it hinges upon

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's a conflict that dates back to the height of radical feminism, in the nineteen-seventies, and it hinges upon the two groups' differing beliefs about who has the right to identify as a woman.

The New Yorker

The approach described herein is clearly more efficient; it hinges upon the first implementation of ruthenium-catalyzed trans-hydrogenation in natural products total synthesis.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The last of these mental expansions occurred in the early 1920s, and it hinged upon an earlier discovery that was made by a computer not a machine, but a woman.In 1895 Henrietta Leavitt became part of a team of women who were employed as "computers" by the Harvard College Observatory.

The Economist

As you'd expect from a couple of dudes at the Atlantic, their debate was very serious and substantive and measured unlike Buzz, they didn't need to tell you that they had considered the issues but it hinged upon the idea that their votes, like Buzz's, mattered.

Vice

Does it hinge upon a constellation of top-tier publishers and even tenure committees?

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

It also hinges upon the actions of the Belgian police, and the French, and the Turkish not just on the efficacy of our state, but of everyone else's.

The New Yorker

Ability to elicit individuals' perceptions of complex behavioral processes can be challenging, as it hinges not only upon the skill of the researcher, but also upon assumptions of a shared language and individuals' ability to recall, analyze, and effectively communicate events.

International Journal of Nursing Studies

But my consistent consumption of it hinges almost completely upon the fact that I am too lazy to take the time to make anything more substantial.

Huffington Post

It all hinged upon how the Dutch could cope with Du Plessis's two trump cards, Steyn and Tahir.

The Guardian - Sport

"If his whole project of legal reform -- of revitalizing the China Dream and the Party -- is going to be successful, it will hinge upon public perception of whether or not these reforms are successful in delivering the sense of justice that they want," said Maya Wang, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Huffington Post

Alternatively, it could hinge upon the amount of free Lck available for CAR-mediated activation.

Clinical and Experimental Immunology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing when using "it hinges upon". While grammatically correct, simpler alternatives like "it depends on" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

Common error

While "it hinges upon" is a valid and grammatically sound phrase, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing. In more casual settings, a simpler phrasing like "it depends on" or "it relies on" may be more appropriate and avoid sounding pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it hinges upon" functions as a linking phrase, indicating that the result of something is reliant on something else. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase is used to convey a high degree of dependency in various situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it hinges upon" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating that something is critically dependent on another factor. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its presence in both News & Media and Scientific contexts. While correct, simpler alternatives like "it depends on" may be more appropriate for informal writing. Use "it hinges upon" when precision and emphasis are needed in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it depends on

This is a more common and direct synonym, lacking the slight formality of the original.

it is contingent on

This alternative emphasizes the conditional nature of the dependence.

it relies on

This suggests a strong dependence, where the outcome is only achievable through the specified element.

it turns on

This implies that the outcome will change based on the specified element.

it is predicated on

This indicates that the idea or action is founded or based on something else.

it is conditional upon

This stresses the 'if-then' relationship more explicitly.

it is determined by

This emphasizes the act of being controlled or decided by something else.

it is subject to

This implies that the outcome is influenced by or depends on a condition.

it is incumbent upon

This emphasizes a moral or legal duty associated with the condition, changing the focus to responsibility.

it is all about

This simplified version is less formal and emphasizes the central importance of the condition.

FAQs

What does "it hinges upon" mean?

The phrase "it hinges upon" means that something is critically dependent on something else. The outcome or success of a situation is directly determined by a particular factor. Alternatives include "it depends on" or "it relies on".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it hinges upon"?

Use "it hinges upon" when you want to emphasize the crucial importance of a specific factor determining an outcome. This phrase is suitable for formal writing where you want to convey the significant and direct dependence of a situation on that factor.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "it hinges upon"?

Alternatives to "it hinges upon" include "it depends on", "it relies on", "it is contingent on", or "it turns on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it hinges upon" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it hinges upon" is grammatically correct. It is a valid expression, although it can be considered more formal than simpler alternatives such as "it depends on".