rest only on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rest only on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is based solely on a particular factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project should not rest only on the funding we receive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But, he said, Camden's recovery does not rest only on rooting out corruption.

The New York Times

For much of history, the norm, first established by the Bible, was to work for six days and rest only on the seventh.

The Economist

Three years ago, the editorial staff was divided into three people who worked on the Web site only and the rest only on print.

The New York Times

Some experts think the port, a proposed airport nearby and a free-trade zone may be as far as the canal gets.But the case for a canal may not rest only on tolls and jobs.

The Economist

Some of these, a President Trump would be able to reverse just as quickly because they continue to rest only on executive action for legitimacy rather harder-to-reverse acts of legislation.

The Guardian

Our typical acceptance of testimony does not rest only on the word of a speaker alone, who we cannot check on and who is capable of unreliability and insincerity.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Stuart's portrayal of Joseph in moments of candor and confession are stripped back, resting only on his words.

The Guardian

It was never enough to say that the Trump phenomenon rested only on whites without a college degree.

The New Yorker

In the work, a commentary on various aspects of the Torah, he rejected traditional proofs for the existence of God, insisting that certainty in this matter rests only on the authority of the Bible in stating "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deut. 6 4).

Encyclopedia Britannica

His knowledge of the inverse square relation rested only on intuitive grounds; he did not derive it properly from the quantitative statement of centripetal force and Kepler's third law, which relates the periods of planets to the radii of their orbits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For him, "The Tempest is a specimen of the purely romantic drama, in which the interest is not historical, or dependent upon fidelity of portraiture, or the natural connexion of events – but is a birth of the imagination, and rests only on the coaptation and union of the elements granted to, or assumed by, the poet".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rest only on", ensure that the single factor you are highlighting is truly the most critical and perhaps only determinant. Overstating this dependence can weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "rest only on" when multiple factors clearly contribute to an outcome. This phrase should be reserved for situations where the dependence is genuinely exclusive and undisputed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rest only on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating a specific condition or limitation. It suggests that something is contingent solely on a particular factor. Ludwig confirms the phrase is used in well-regarded publications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rest only on" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to emphasize that something is exclusively dependent on a single factor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and academic publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the single factor is truly the only determinant, as overstating this dependence can weaken your argument. Alternatives include "depend solely on" and "rely exclusively on". Remember, "rest only on" conveys a stronger sense of exclusivity than a general statement of dependence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend solely on

Emphasizes the exclusive nature of the dependence.

rely exclusively on

Highlights the complete reliance on a single element.

hinge entirely on

Suggests a critical point of dependence, where everything else is determined by it.

be contingent solely upon

A more formal way of expressing complete dependence on something specific.

be predicated solely on

Indicates that something is based or founded exclusively on a particular factor.

be grounded only in

Focuses on the foundation or basis being limited to one thing.

turn entirely on

Similar to 'hinge on', emphasizing the pivotal role of a single aspect.

be limited to

Focuses on restriction and exclusivity.

be confined solely to

Similar to 'be limited to' but with a stronger emphasis on restriction.

be determined exclusively by

Highlights that only one factor is responsible for the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "rest only on" in a sentence?

You can use "rest only on" to indicate that something depends entirely on a specific factor. For example, "The project's success "will rest only on" securing adequate funding."

What are some alternatives to "rest only on"?

Alternatives include "depend solely on", "rely exclusively on", or "hinge entirely on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "depend on" or "rest only on"?

"Depend on" is a more general term. "Rest only on" implies a singular, exclusive dependence. Use "rest only on" when you want to emphasize that nothing else matters except that one factor.

What's the difference between "rest only on" and "not only on"?

"Rest only on" means something solely relies on something. "Not only on" implies that something depends on a factor, but also on other factors. They are near opposites. For example, "The decision "rests not only on" price but also on quality".