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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
reliable on
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "reliable on" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "reliable for" or "reliable in" depending on the context. Example: "The software is reliable for managing large datasets."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(3)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
46 human-written examples
RN: Your conservative base will forgive you all kinds of liberal lurching if they know you're reliable on the one big thing.
News & Media
Yet the German grid remains one of the most reliable on earth.
News & Media
In Laettner's case, we have someone who was both reliable on the court, and reliably odd and fascinating off it.
News & Media
Ah well, that's one group of voters – albeit not the most reliable on election day – antagonised.
News & Media
Senior American officers have not always been reliable on this question.
News & Media
But, although good on family tensions, Coward is less reliable on political analysis.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
12 human-written examples
"We know our customers appreciate our commitment to provide reliable, on-time operational performance," said Anthony Mule, the airline's customer-service chief.
News & Media
But he had confidence in Liam Finn, a 31-year-old who had been such a reliable on-field general at neighbouring Featherstone.
News & Media
Finally, for the first time, mobile users here were able to find reliable, on-demand transportation in the city.
News & Media
This in turn will require the development of reliable on-line monitoring and control systems.
A reliable on-chip communication standard is a must in any SOC.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for clarity and precision, replace "reliable on" with "reliable for" or "reliable in", depending on the specific context. This corrects a grammatical error while maintaining the intended meaning.
Common error
Avoid using "on" after "reliable". The correct prepositions are "for", indicating suitability or purpose (e.g., "reliable for data analysis"), and "in", indicating dependability within a context (e.g., "reliable in emergencies"). Using "on" can make your writing sound unnatural or incorrect.
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "reliable on" functions as an adjective phrase, attempting to describe something as dependable with respect to a particular condition. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically incorrect; the proper forms are "reliable for" or "reliable in".
Frequent in
News & Media
42%
Science
37%
Wiki
9%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
While the phrase "reliable on" appears frequently across diverse sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct alternatives are "reliable for" or "reliable in", depending on the intended meaning. "Reliable for" is used to denote suitability for a specific purpose, whereas "reliable in" indicates dependability within a particular context or condition. Despite its common occurrence, opting for "reliable for" or "reliable in" enhances grammatical correctness and precision in your writing, aligning with established English conventions.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
reliable for
Uses the correct preposition "for" to indicate suitability for a purpose.
reliable in
Uses the correct preposition "in" to indicate dependability within a specific context.
dependable on
Synonym for "reliable", maintaining a similar structure but may still be grammatically questionable.
can be relied upon
Expresses the idea of reliance in a passive voice.
trustworthy in
Offers a synonym for "reliable" with the correct preposition "in".
consistent in
Focuses on consistent performance within a defined area.
steadfast in
Emphasizes unwavering loyalty or commitment to something.
accurate regarding
Shifts the focus to correctness or precision with respect to something.
sound concerning
Implies a solid or well-founded basis for something.
safe with respect to
Highlights safety or security concerning a specific aspect.
FAQs
What's the proper way to use "reliable" with a preposition?
The correct prepositions to use with "reliable" are "for" and "in", depending on the context. Use "reliable for" to indicate suitability for a purpose (e.g., "This tool is "reliable for" data analysis"). Use "reliable in" to indicate dependability within a specific context (e.g., "This car is "reliable in" harsh weather").
Is "reliable on" grammatically correct?
No, "reliable on" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The commonly accepted alternatives are "reliable for" and "reliable in".
What can I use instead of "reliable on"?
Instead of "reliable on", use alternatives like "reliable for" to indicate suitability, or "reliable in" to indicate dependability within a context. For example, "This car is reliable for long trips" or "This car is reliable in winter conditions."
Which is correct: "reliable in" or "reliable for"?
Both ""reliable in"" and ""reliable for"" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Reliable in" specifies a situation or condition where something is dependable (e.g., "reliable in an emergency"), while "reliable for" indicates a purpose or task that something is suitable for (e.g., "reliable for data analysis").
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
81%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested