it relies upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it relies upon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing dependence or reliance on something, often in formal or academic contexts. Example: "The success of the project relies upon the collaboration of all team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The limitations of our study include its retrospective nature and the fact that it relies upon a trauma database.

F1000Research

Manuka is generally regarded as the most potent honey, but it relies upon nectar from a particular tree in New Zealand, limiting its supply.

The Guardian

It relies upon constant immigration, of people or ideas or styles, in order to survive".

The New York Times - Books

The economic system we rely upon cannot be tamed without collapsing, for it relies upon that growth to function.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sent to the river to wash the family's clothes, Damura loses her threadbare sarong and, afraid to return without it, relies upon the parting advice of her mother.

The New York Times - Books

"It is selective in the information it relies upon, it is inconsistent with itself and the evidence, it rewrites the scheme rules and it is inconclusive.

The Guardian - Business

This behaviour is anticipated in many theories of particle physics, where it relies upon the existence of something called the "inflaton field".

The Guardian

And it relies upon them heavily to express how life is like a seesaw, that thing in playgrounds upon which children ride up or down.

The New York Times - Books

We worried little about this diet's effect on the environment or on the lives of the animals (or even the workers) it relies upon.

The New York Times

It relies upon Moscow's experience in playing host to major events and an infrastructure of sporting sites that is 65percentt complete -- more complete than that of any other 2012 candidate city.

The New York Times

It relies upon a false dichotomy – either the ringing is caused by something in Mickey's brain or by the phone – and to pick one is to in some way disregard the other.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it relies upon", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity in your writing. For example: "The project's success relies upon consistent funding" is better than "It relies upon consistent funding".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it relies upon" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives like "it depends on" or "it needs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it relies upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating dependence. It asserts that a subject requires something else for its operation or existence. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it relies upon" is a grammatically sound way to express dependence, as verified by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal register. While versatile, it's best used when you want to emphasize the specific requirements or conditions necessary for something to function properly. Remember to consider simpler alternatives like "it depends on" in more casual settings to avoid sounding overly formal. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "it relies upon" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is dependent on

Replaces "relies upon" with a more direct synonym for dependence.

it is contingent on

Indicates that something is conditional upon something else occurring.

it is predicated on

Changes the verb and preposition, emphasizing a foundational dependence.

it counts on

Similar to "banks on", suggesting expectation and confidence.

it hinges on

Suggests that the outcome is highly dependent and could change based on the subject.

it leans on

Suggests a supportive dependence, like something drawing strength from another source.

it banks on

Implies a strong hope or expectation that something will happen, influencing reliance.

it trusts in

Highlights the element of trust or confidence in the thing being relied upon.

it is built on

Emphasizes a structural or fundamental dependence.

it requires

Focuses on the necessity of something for another thing to function or succeed.

FAQs

What does "it relies upon" mean?

The phrase "it relies upon" means that something depends on or needs something else in order to function or succeed. It indicates a relationship of dependence.

What are some alternatives to "it relies upon"?

You can use alternatives like "it depends on", "it is contingent on", or "it is predicated on" depending on the specific context.

Is "it relies upon" formal or informal?

"It relies upon" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "it depends on". It's often used in academic, scientific, and formal writing.

How can I use "it relies upon" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The effectiveness of the treatment "it relies upon" early diagnosis." Make sure the subject is clearly defined and the sentence maintains a clear, logical flow.