over-rely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over-rely on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone depends too much on something or someone else. Example: "In today's fast-paced world, many people tend to over-rely on technology for their daily tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Finally, it is necessary not to over-rely on Kurdish forces.

Independent

A lot of people get it wrong, or over-rely on funny rhyming.

The Guardian

I think writers have to be careful not to over-rely on absent parental figures, however.

The Guardian

Denmark's general tendency has been to over-rely on translations or adaptations, drawn especially from its neighbour Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While this is certainly useful, there is a danger that you over-rely on this method, and stop actively looking.

The Guardian

Vertical focus We can't completely forsake the brands that brought us here, but we can't over-rely on them either.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Move beyond simplistic case studies: To meet media demands for personal appeal, we over rely on case studies.

The Guardian

Some drivers over rely on the in-car technology and get cocooned into a false sense of security.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem of over- relying on property taxes has not been resolved in the middle districts".

The New York Times

It became clear that the government had over-relied on the contractor and undercut its own institutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wolf, they said, seemed to have over-relied on his initial report, ignored his subsequent qualification, and then built a larger conspiracy theory on top of that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "over-rely on" to encourage critical thinking about resource allocation and strategic planning.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone should not "over-rely on" something without explaining the potential consequences or suggesting alternative solutions. Provide actionable advice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over-rely on" functions as a verb phrase indicating an excessive dependence on something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to express that someone is depending too much on something, potentially to their detriment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over-rely on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote excessive dependence. Ludwig confirms its usability. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to offer alternative strategies or explain the potential negative consequences of such over-reliance. Alternatives like "depend too much on" or "rely excessively on" can provide slight variations in emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be over-reliant on

A direct synonym, rephrasing the original phrase with a slight variation in structure.

Depend too much on

Focuses on the degree of reliance, employing the word 'much' for emphasis.

Rely excessively on

Uses 'excessively' to highlight the over-reliance aspect more explicitly.

Be overly dependent on

Emphasizes the state of being dependent to an excessive degree.

Lean too heavily on

Uses 'lean' metaphorically to describe dependence, adding a sense of imbalance.

Rely disproportionately on

Focuses on the imbalance or unequal distribution of reliance.

Overestimate the importance of

Shifts the focus to misjudging the significance of something, leading to over-reliance.

Give too much weight to

Emphasizes the excessive importance given to something in decision-making.

Place undue emphasis on

Highlights the unbalanced focus placed on something.

Put too much faith in

Implies a level of trust that may be unwarranted, leading to over-reliance.

FAQs

How can I use "over-rely on" in a sentence?

You can use "over-rely on" to indicate that someone is depending too much on something. For example: "Companies should not "over-rely on" short-term profits at the expense of long-term growth."

What are some alternatives to "over-rely on"?

Alternatives include "depend too much on", "rely excessively on", or "be overly dependent on".

Is it grammatically correct to say "over-rely on"?

Yes, "over-rely on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.

What is the difference between "rely on" and "over-rely on"?

"Rely on" simply means to depend on something, while "over-rely on" implies that the dependence is excessive and potentially problematic.