rely on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rely on which" is not correct and does not work well in written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The decision to proceed with the project will rely on which factors are most critical to success."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Policymakers should start with that assumption instead of the one they currently rely on which paints the industry as predatory.

Forbes

That's got to be an improvement on the kind of forecasts that economists currently rely on, which generally do not admit the possibility of nonlinear change.

MIT Technology Review

Whether any of this comes close to being incorporated into Labour policy could rely on which of the party's two media policy power bases gets the upper hand.

The Guardian

I am not a young teacher any more and the bells and whistles I used to rely on, which were starting to feel cumbersome, would feel totally unwieldy now.

The Guardian

Food buyers, particularly the largest supermarket chains, have cut the amount they pay to those who produce the food we all rely on, which has forced farmers to 'industrialise'industrialise

The Guardian

While the Rubik Brand is fortunate in having other trademarks, copyright, passing off and unfair competition protection to rely on which will continue to ensure its exclusivity, this judgment sets a damaging precedent for companies wishing to innovate and create strong brands and distinctive marks within the EU, and is not what European lawmakers intended when they legislated for 3D trademarks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

These gaffes are lamentable because they may give pause to other companies contemplating the "Dutch auction" method that Google relied on, which has plenty to commend it.

The New York Times

And, because you act on your beliefs, it is crucial to learn which to rely on and which not.

Forbes

So veterinarians cannot rely on symptoms, which are expressed, but rather on clinical signs.

Cornell University

Does your system rely on technology which is either already available, or definitely feasible?

The Guardian

Hence, defenders prefer to rely on vaccines, which are much harder to defeat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "rely on which" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "depend on which" or "hinge on which" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Instead of constructing sentences where "rely on which" attempts to connect a dependent clause, restructure the sentence to use a more direct and grammatically sound construction. For example, replace "The project's success will rely on which strategies are implemented" with "The project's success will depend on the strategies implemented."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rely on which" is typically intended to introduce a dependent clause specifying the condition upon which something depends. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind "rely on which" is to express a conditional dependence, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. As such, it is best to avoid this phrase in formal writing. Alternatives like "depend on which" or "hinge on which" offer clearer and more accurate ways to convey the intended meaning. When aiming for precision and grammatical correctness, these alternatives ensure that your writing is both clear and effective. Therefore, the use of the phrase "rely on which" is not recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on which

Replaces "rely" with "depend", indicating a conditional relationship based on the subsequent clause.

hinge on which

Emphasizes the critical importance of the 'which' clause for the outcome.

rest on which

Suggests a foundation or basis that the 'which' clause provides.

be contingent on which

Formal and precise, highlighting the conditional nature of the relationship.

be conditional on which

Very similar to 'be contingent on', but slightly less formal.

turn on which

Indicates that the outcome is determined by the 'which' clause.

be determined by which

Highlights that the following clause is the definitive factor.

be subject to which

Indicates that the outcome is influenced or controlled by the 'which' clause.

be predicated on which

Formal, indicating a logical dependence on the 'which' clause.

be based on which

Suggests that the 'which' clause forms the underlying support or justification.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "rely on which"?

Replace "rely on which" with alternatives such as "depend on which" or "hinge on which" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Is "rely on which" grammatically correct?

No, "rely on which" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use phrases like "depend on which" or "be dependent on" instead.

What's the difference between "rely on which" and "depend on which"?

"Rely on which" is not standard English. "Depend on which" is a grammatically sound alternative to express that something is contingent upon a specific factor.

When should I use "depend on which" instead of "rely on which"?

Always use "depend on which". The phrase "rely on which" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.