only depend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only depend" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a necessary context or structure to be meaningful. Example: "I can only depend on my closest friends during tough times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He said: 'Look, you can only depend on yourself.

The Guardian - Sport

"We can only depend on ourselves," Mr. Sharon said tonight.

The New York Times

In the meantime, we can only depend on doctors' own commitment to the profession.

The New York Times

But it's pretty tough to school truffle flies, and the harvester can only depend on luck to find a swarm.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moreover, the reconstruction formulas only depend on the nodal points.

Boundary Value Problems

Solar radiation does not only depend on sunshine duration.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

Our feedbacks only depend on the sum of the species levels.

Automatica

We are able to design thresholds that only depend on local information and guarantee asymptotic consensus.

Automatica

You can only depend on people in the same situation as you".

BBC

They will not only depend on federal and privately funded aid.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"In a region like the Middle East, we can only depend on ourselves," Mr. Landau said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "solely rely on" or "exclusively depend on" instead of "only depend".

Common error

When expressing singular reliance, avoid the concise yet potentially unclear phrase "only depend". Using more explicit alternatives such as "solely rely" or "exclusively depend" enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretations in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only depend" functions to express reliance on a single source or factor. However, it's often considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase lacks a necessary context or structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only depend" is used to express singular reliance. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically questionable and often lacks the required context. While found in both News & Media and Science contexts, it's advisable to consider more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "solely rely on" or "exclusively depend on" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. When aiming for formal or scientific writing, prioritizing alternatives becomes even more critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely rely on

Replaces "depend" with "rely", emphasizing the exclusive nature of the reliance.

exclusively depend on

Adds "exclusively" to stress that reliance is limited to a specific source or method.

rely solely on

Inverts the order for emphasis, focusing on the action of relying.

depend exclusively on

Similar to 'exclusively depend on', but places 'exclusively' after 'depend' for a slight shift in emphasis.

can only count on

Substitutes "depend" with "count on", a more conversational alternative with similar meaning.

completely depend on

Uses "completely" to intensify the degree of dependency.

rely entirely on

Replaces "only" with "entirely", signifying total reliance.

hinge solely on

Uses "hinge" to indicate that something is contingent upon a specific factor.

be exclusively determined by

Shifts the focus to determination rather than dependence, suitable for describing causal relationships.

be solely governed by

Implies a rule-based dependency, where one thing is strictly controlled by another.

FAQs

What does "only depend" mean?

The phrase "only depend" is often used to express reliance on a single source or factor, but it's frequently considered grammatically awkward. Consider using alternatives like "solely rely on" or "exclusively depend on".

What can I say instead of "only depend"?

You can use alternatives like "solely rely on", "exclusively depend on", or "completely depend on" to convey a similar meaning with improved clarity.

Is it correct to say "only depend"?

While "only depend" is sometimes used, it's often perceived as grammatically incorrect or awkward. It's better to opt for clearer alternatives such as "solely rely on" or "exclusively depend on".

What's the difference between "only depend" and "solely rely"?

"Only depend" and "solely rely" both suggest a single source of reliance. However, "solely rely" is typically considered more grammatically sound and clear, making it a preferred choice in formal writing.