rely for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rely for" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "rely on." Example: "I rely on my friends for support during tough times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several of Mr. Hewitt's prints rely for their impact on this kind of ambiguity.

The New York Times

Esiason and Marino cannot rely for long on insults about their playing careers.

The New York Times - Sports

Sitcoms, after all, rely for laughs on the broadest possible shared opinions.

The New York Times

He had to rely for delivery on his face, his voice on behavior.

The New Yorker

Those paragons of modernity – electronics manufacturers – rely for their supplies on some distinctly old-fashioned practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But you cannot rely, for the country, on what's been happening on the external side.

The New York Times

He had to rely for delivery on his face, his voice — on behavior.

The New Yorker

They rely for their income on ticket sales, fees from concession holders, and some corporate hospitality.

The Economist

On what are we to rely for this great act of emancipation ?

The Economist

Others would fall behind and need to rely for retirement income on other sources.

The New York Times

Computer networks have become critical infrastructure on which people rely for personal, business, and government use.

Architecture of Network Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "on" after "rely". The correct phrase is "rely on". For example, "You can "rely on" me."

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "rely". The correct preposition to use is "on". A common mistake is to say "rely for", which is grammatically incorrect. Remember: "rely on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rely for" is intended to function as a verb phrase indicating dependence or reliance. However, it is grammatically incorrect as the correct form is "rely on". Despite its frequent use, Ludwig AI indicates this usage is non-standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "rely for" appears frequently in various sources, it's crucial to understand that it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "rely on". Ludwig AI confirms that "rely for" is non-standard and should be avoided in formal writing. Despite its common usage, especially in news and media, adhering to the correct grammar by using "rely on" maintains clarity and professionalism. Remember to use alternatives like "depend on" or "count on" for grammatically sound writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

Replaces "rely" with "depend", a direct synonym, maintaining the preposition "on" which is grammatically correct.

count on

Substitutes "rely" with "count", another synonym, also using the correct preposition "on".

bank on

Uses "bank" instead of "rely", suggesting a strong confidence in something.

be dependent on

Expresses the state of being reliant on something else.

hinge on

Implies that something is contingent or dependent on a particular factor.

place reliance on

A more formal way of saying "rely on", emphasizing the act of trusting.

rest on

Suggests that something is based or founded on a particular thing.

lean on

Conveys a sense of seeking support or assistance from something or someone.

trust in

Focuses on the aspect of having faith or confidence in something.

swear by

Indicates a strong, almost unwavering belief in the effectiveness or reliability of something.

FAQs

How to correctly use the word "rely"?

The correct way to use "rely" is to follow it with the preposition "on". For example, "I "rely on my friends" for support."

What is the difference between "rely on" and "depend on"?

"Rely on" and "depend on" are often interchangeable and have very similar meanings, both indicating dependence. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "rely for"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "rely on". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "rely for" is not correct in standard written English.

What can I use instead of "rely for"?

Since "rely for" is incorrect, use phrases like "rely on", "depend on", or "count on" depending on the context.