rely on fate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rely on fate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you are leaving something up to fate or destiny. For example, "I can't decide, so I'm just going to have to rely on fate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Tim Sullivan, the president of Match.com, one of the biggest dating sites, said people can't rely on fate alone.

The New York Times - Style

"We become more inclined to rely on fate, but this uncertainty is destroying any future for my children".

The New York Times

Elsewhere, rely on fate to provide shelter: dependence on those met en route greatly enhances escapism, and villagers are unfailingly hospitable to those who trust them.

The Guardian - Travel

True, salaries can rise sharply in a few years but you can't rely on fate as climbing up the media ranks depends on loads of factors; even luck has a major role to play.

The Guardian

Don't rely on fate alone, he warns.

Huffington Post

She would be ecstatic to be able to buy in to Medicare now, and not have to rely on fate to see if she makes it to her 65th birthday or not.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

TRAVELING like this -- solo, but available to the right person -- has turned out to be such a successful modus operandi for me that I long ago stopped relying on fate to drop me in the path of the perfect match.

The New York Times - Travel

The "meet cute" solely relies on fate, and we love it because it's so rich with hope for single people.

Vice

10 P.M. (Ovation) CLOUDSTREET Based on the novel by Tim Winton, this six-part mini-series follows two working-class Australian families -- the Lambs, who believe in God and hard work, and the Pickleses, who rely on luck and fate -- as they share a mysterious house in Perth from World War II to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The New York Times

9. Don't rely on luck or fate in your career.

Huffington Post

And as with his other explicitly religious works, The Last Temptation of Christ and last year's Silence, he looks in admiration at those who can place themselves into the hands of fate, and rely on that fate (and faith) to steer them.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rely on fate", ensure that it aligns with the context. It often implies a passive approach, so consider whether a more proactive strategy might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "rely on fate" as a justification for inaction or lack of planning. While acceptance can be beneficial, it should not replace responsible decision-making or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rely on fate" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a state of dependence on destiny or chance. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, expressing the act of leaving something up to fate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rely on fate" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of dependence on destiny or chance. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests a passive acceptance of an outcome, often when control is limited. While generally neutral in register, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "depend on destiny" and "leave to luck", offering nuanced variations in meaning. It is important to remember that while sometimes necessary, "relying on fate" shouldn't be an excuse for inaction but a recognition of forces beyond control.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on destiny

Swaps "fate" for "destiny", emphasizing a predetermined course of events.

trust to chance

Replaces "rely" with "trust" and "fate" with "chance", focusing on the role of randomness.

leave to luck

Uses "leave" instead of "rely" and "luck" instead of "fate", highlighting the element of good fortune.

count on providence

Employs "count on" for "rely on" and "providence" for "fate", suggesting divine intervention.

bank on fortune

Substitutes "rely" with "bank" and "fate" with "fortune", emphasizing financial or overall success depending on luck.

rest on destiny

Uses "rest" instead of "rely", portraying a sense of acceptance of what is meant to be.

succumb to inevitability

Shifts the focus to accepting an unavoidable outcome.

resign oneself to destiny

Highlights a passive acceptance of one's preordained path.

take a gamble

Suggests a willingness to take risks based on uncertain outcomes, rather than assured fate.

entrust to fortune

Replacing "rely" with "entrust" and "fate" with "fortune" highlights the aspect of assigning something to luck.

FAQs

How can I use "rely on fate" in a sentence?

You can use "rely on fate" to describe situations where you are leaving the outcome to chance or destiny. For example, "I've done all I can; now, I must "rely on fate"".

What is a good alternative to "rely on fate"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "depend on destiny", "trust to chance", or "leave to luck" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always wise to "rely on fate"?

No, "relying on fate" is not always wise. It's often better to take proactive steps and make informed decisions rather than solely depending on external forces. However, in situations where you have no control, acceptance and "relying on fate" can be a helpful coping mechanism.

What's the difference between "rely on fate" and "rely on luck"?

"Rely on fate" suggests a belief in a predetermined course of events, while "rely on luck" implies depending on chance or good fortune. While both involve external factors, "fate" often carries a stronger sense of inevitability compared to "luck".