rather rely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather rely on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a preference for depending on something or someone instead of another option. Example: "In uncertain times, I would rather rely on my instincts than on the opinions of others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Don't use the air from your diaphragm or stomach; rather, rely on the air in your mouth and cheeks.

WikiHow

But Mr Fogh Rasmussen is unrepentant: "As a small European country we would rather rely on a superpower's security guarantees than on a European one based on a French, German and British security balance".

The Economist

He would rather rely on himself.

The New York Times

I'd rather rely on my faith".

The New York Times - Magazine

Which economy would you rather rely on to pay your pension?

The Guardian

We rather rely on partial pose estimation and only compute the sufficient and necessary information to solve the task.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Initially, Magellan will not have this so-called crowd-sourced feature, but rather rely on existing FM-transmitted updates.

The New York Times

Apple executives "don't do gimmicky stuff," he said, but rather rely on media like television, print and outdoor.

The New York Times

And wouldn't you rather rely on an established historian who is also the former editor of the journal Diplomatic History?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, when the restructuring needs to be done in working memory, participants would rather rely on a simpler, noncompensatory strategy than restructure the information in their heads to be able to apply a compensatory strategy.

Behavior Research Methods

Travelers should carry a portable travel door lock rather rely on the hotel's locking system.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rather rely on", ensure that the context clearly indicates a preference between two or more options. This clarifies the intended meaning and strengthens the statement.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "rather rely on" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "prefer to depend on" or "choose to trust" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather rely on" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing preference or inclination. It connects a subject with the action of depending on something over something else. Ludwig examples show it used in varied contexts, from personal choices to strategic decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

29%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather rely on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a preference for depending on something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and general discussions. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose synonyms like "prefer to depend on" for more formal writing. When using "rather rely on", ensure that the preference and the alternatives are clearly defined for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prefer to depend on

Changes the structure to a more direct statement of preference and substitutes "rely" with "depend".

opt to depend on

Replaces "rather" with "opt", suggesting a deliberate choice.

choose to trust

Replaces "rely" with "trust", emphasizing confidence in something or someone.

favor depending on

Uses "favor" to express preference and "depending" to indicate reliance.

would instead count on

Replaces "rely" with "count on", which means to depend on someone for support.

would sooner bank on

Uses a more informal idiom, "bank on", implying confidence and expectation.

would prefer to lean on

Substitutes "rely" with "lean", suggesting a supporting relationship.

prefer to place confidence in

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "rely" with "place confidence".

would sooner put faith in

Emphasizes trust and belief, replacing "rely" with "put faith in".

find it better to trust

Indicates a judgment of better judgment or advantage, instead of "relying".

FAQs

What does "rather rely on" mean?

The phrase "rather rely on" means to prefer depending on something or someone over another option. It indicates a sense of trust or confidence in the chosen option.

What can I say instead of "rather rely on"?

You can use alternatives like "prefer to depend on", "choose to trust", or "would instead count on" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "rather rely on"?

Yes, the phrase "rather rely on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms this.

How formal is the phrase "rather rely on"?

The formality of "rather rely on" is neutral. It can be used in various contexts, but for highly formal writing, consider alternatives like "prefer to depend on".