relies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relies" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate dependence on someone or something for support or assistance. Example: "She relies on her friends for emotional support during tough times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wikipedia relies on about 70,000 people each month who edit the articles for a worldwide readership.

The Guardian

Spanish business leaders – many of them Catalans – have said independence would have dire consequences for Catalonia, which would lose its main market, as well as for Spain, which relies on the region for almost one-fifth of its economic output.

The Guardian

But this justification is dangerously misleading, since the private sector consistently relies on the government or taxpayers to fund infrastructure, while extracting a profit, the margin of which can even be guaranteed in concession contracts," he said.

The Guardian

The Riga government argues that the Latvia's banking sector is minuscule compared to that in Cyprus, whose economy relies on big off-shore banking operations.

The Guardian

Burundi is one of Africa's poorest countries, ranking 180 out of 187 states in the 2014 UN human development index and it relies on foreign aid for about half of its national budget.

The Guardian

However, Sutton confirmed the cost of rehabilitation relies on the "current business plan", which includes the proposed 3 Deeps mine.

The Guardian

Britain also relies heavily on arms sales to the Middle East, on the dangerous assumption that the regimes buying them will still be in power to take delivery, and for as long after that as the weapons remain usable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is not the kind of behaviour that I would expect to see from any public global corporation that relies on the trust of its customers on a daily basis".

The Guardian - Business

The Green party, which relies heavily on the student vote in areas such as Sheffield Central and Brighton, will launch its Youth Manifesto on Monday in Kentish Town in an effort to trump Labour's youth policies and bring those who traditionally vote Labour into the Greens' ranks.

The Guardian

The loss of qualified nurses (community nurse numbers alone have been cut by over 3,300) means that the NHS relies on costly agency staff or overseas nurses (recruited at the cost of £5,000 each).

The Guardian

Indeed, Google relies on advertising for almost the entirety of its nearly $60bn annual income.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relies", ensure the subject and the object of reliance are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The project relies on it", specify what "it" refers to: "The project relies on additional funding".

Common error

Avoid using "relies" passively, as it can weaken your writing. Instead of saying "Success is relied upon by hard work", actively state who relies on what: "Students who study hard can rely on success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relies" functions as a verb in the third-person singular present tense. It indicates a state of dependence or reliance on something or someone. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in denoting dependency in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relies" functions as a verb denoting dependence, consistently used across varied contexts to signify reliance on individuals, systems, or concepts. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and formal business communications, it maintains a neutral register. While the phrase is often interchanged with alternatives like "depends on" or "counts on", understanding the subtle nuances can help writers craft precise and compelling sentences. Correct usage emphasizes clarity and avoids overuse of passive voice, ensuring robust communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depends on

Replaces "relies" with a direct synonym, emphasizing the conditional aspect of dependence.

is dependent on

Formal and direct synonym for "relies", stressing the condition of being supported by something else.

counts on

Suggests a confident expectation that something will be available or helpful.

hinges on

Emphasizes that the outcome or success is completely dependent on a single factor.

places reliance on

Formal way of saying that importance or confidence is given to something.

is contingent upon

Highlights the conditional nature of the relationship, emphasizing that something is dependent on certain conditions.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is based on or assumes the truth of a particular statement or condition.

draws upon

Implies using something as a resource or source of support.

is built upon

Suggests a foundation or structure that is supported by something else.

turns to

Indicates seeking assistance or support from someone or something.

FAQs

How can I use "relies" in a sentence?

The word "relies" is used to indicate dependence on someone or something. For example, "The company "relies on" its marketing team to generate new leads".

What are some alternatives to using "relies"?

You can use alternatives such as "depends on", "counts on", or "is contingent upon" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "relies on" or "relies in"?

"Relies on" is the correct and idiomatic usage. "Relies in" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "relies on" and "depends on"?

The phrases "relies on" and "depends on" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate dependence, but "relies on" may imply a stronger sense of trust or confidence in the thing being relied upon.