it relies for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it relies for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to indicate dependence on something, but it is incomplete and lacks clarity. Example: "The success of the project relies for its outcome on the team's collaboration."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Its songs were brusque, acerbic and deeply unusual, but it relies for its dizzying rush on that most traditional of formal devices: melody.

The Guardian - Music

And like most forms of freedom, it relies for its fullest expression upon the knowledge of constraint.

The New York Times

It relies for its income almost entirely on oil revenues, which now average $8 billion a month.

The Economist

The Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome, yes, has projecting columns and the like, but it relies for its effects largely on the figural sculpture that decorates it; that decorates the panels over each of the smaller bays, the frieze, and so on and so forth.

Yale University

Most important, because it relies for its operating tasks on trained professionals skilled people who must be given considerable control over their own work the organization surrenders a good deal of its power not only to the professionals themselves but also to the associations and institutions that select and train them in the first place.

Harvard Business Review

It relies for nearly all its profits on business passengers crossing the Atlantic and flying other long-haul routes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It relied for its freedom and security upon the benevolence and goodwill of America.

The Economist

In doing so, Colombo mocked Indian appeals that it rely for its legitimate defense needs on India, the main regional power.

Forbes

Nevertheless, its own record on drug development has been mixed, and it relied for much of its history on only two drugs.

The New York Times

It was forced to close in 2015 after the late licence for its raucous club nights, upon which it relied for income, was revoked by Glasgow city council after the death of Regane MacColl, 17, who had taken drugs there.

The Times

It relied, for instance, on a Civil War-era seditious conspiracy statute that made it a crime to plot to levy war on the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it relies for". Instead, opt for "it relies on" or "it depends on" for clearer and grammatically correct sentences.

Common error

The common mistake is adding 'for' after 'relies' when it's unnecessary. 'Relies' already implies dependence, so 'on' is the correct preposition to use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it relies for" attempts to express dependence but is grammatically flawed. As Ludwig AI indicates, standard English usage favors structures like "it relies on". The intended function is to show that a subject is dependent on something else to achieve a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it relies for" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, advising against its use. The intended meaning, to express dependence, is better conveyed through phrases like "it relies on" or "it depends on". While the phrase may appear in various sources, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal or professional writing. Always opt for the grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it depends on

Expresses reliance or contingency but uses a grammatically correct structure.

it relies on

More grammatically sound way to express dependence without the unnecessary 'for'.

it is contingent on

Uses a more formal and precise expression to indicate dependence.

it is based on

Indicates that something is founded or supported by something else.

it is dependent on

Directly states the state of being reliant on something.

it hinges on

Suggests that the outcome or success is greatly affected by something.

it is predicated on

A formal way of saying something is affirmed or based on something else.

it is subject to

Expresses that something is conditional upon something else.

it draws upon

Indicates that something uses or utilizes resources or information.

it capitalizes on

This describes taking advantage of something, often an opportunity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something depends on something else?

Instead of using the phrase "it relies for", which is grammatically awkward, you can use phrases like "it relies on" or "it depends on".

Is "it relies for" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "it relies for" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing is "it relies on".

What are some alternatives to "it relies for" that I can use in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use phrases such as "it is contingent on", "it is based on", or "it is dependent on" instead of "it relies for".

How can I improve my sentence if I've used "it relies for"?

Simply replace "it relies for" with "it relies on". For example, change "The project relies for its success on teamwork" to "The project relies on teamwork for its success".