relies upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"relies upon" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something is dependent upon something else in order to work properly. For example, "The success of the project relies upon the collaboration of the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sport relies upon testing to identify cheats.

The Guardian - Opinion

He just relies upon his convictions".

The New York Times

Constant innovation relies upon a broad range of digital skills.

The Guardian

The very core of the narrative relies upon it.

The Guardian

Consumerism relies upon people feeling disconnected from the world".

The Guardian - Opinion

Your article relies upon and rekindles old, derogatory stereotypes.

The New York Times

"But he relies upon others to emphasize these qualities.

The New York Times - Magazine

This bill relies upon judicious enforcement to counterbalance the all-encompassing language.

The New York Times

It relies upon constant immigration, of people or ideas or styles, in order to survive".

The New York Times - Books

And "Bright Red Apples" similarly relies upon bizarre characters and cartoonish violence to achieve its effects.

The New York Times - Books

One in four Ivorians relies upon the proceeds of cocoa to feed their family.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying complex systems, explicitly state the core element on which every other element depends. For example: "The stability of the ecosystem relies upon the presence of keystone species".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "relies upon" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "depends on" or "needs" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relies upon" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating that something depends on something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relies upon" is a phrasal verb signifying dependence. It's deemed grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in formal writing, scientific discourse, and news reporting, as confirmed by Ludwig. While "depends on" serves as a simpler alternative, "relies upon" offers a more sophisticated tone. To avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings, opt for its more common counterpart. Ultimately, the choice between "relies upon" and its alternatives depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depends on

This is a more common and direct synonym, indicating a necessary condition.

is dependent on

A formal way to say something needs something else.

is reliant on

A close synonym emphasizing dependence.

hinges on

Implies that the outcome is critically determined by something.

is contingent on

Suggests that something is dependent on certain conditions being met.

turns on

Similar to "hinges on", emphasizing a critical point of determination.

is predicated on

Indicates that something is founded or based on a particular premise.

is subject to

Suggests that something is conditional and can be affected by something else.

is based on

Indicates a foundation or starting point.

draws on

Indicates using something as a resource or source.

FAQs

What does "relies upon" mean?

The phrase "relies upon" means depends on something or someone for support, help, or existence. It indicates a state of dependence.

What can I say instead of "relies upon"?

You can use alternatives like "depends on", "is contingent on", or "is reliant on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "relies on" or "relies upon"?

Both "relies on" and "relies upon" are grammatically correct and have the same meaning. "Relies upon" is considered more formal and less common in contemporary usage than "relies on".

How to use "relies upon" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The success of the project "relies upon" the collaboration of all team members."