rest upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"rest upon" is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
It refers to an object or action that is relying on or providing support to something else. For example, "The success of our company rests upon our employees' commitment to excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is supposed to be the favorite food for woodpeckers and naturally, a perch helps for them to rest upon!

WikiHow

Why does the burden rest upon companies?

The New Yorker

It cannot rest upon its green revolution laurels forever.

The New York Times - Science

We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class".

The Guardian - Opinion

We identify two futures for the professions, both of which rest upon technology.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thomas Jefferson said that "large initiatives cannot rest upon slender majorities".

The New York Times

Its avoidance preserves the values of fairness that a government and economic system rest upon.

The New York Times

Sole marks are commonly formed on sandstone and limestone beds that rest upon shale beds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Almost all status positions rest upon the same criteria of age, sex, and kinship distance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He says such initiatives rest upon a myth that "technology is the bottleneck in developing countries".

The New York Times

What is this craving for another's eye to rest upon us?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rest upon" to convey a sense of dependence or reliance, particularly when discussing abstract concepts or foundational principles. For example, "The success of this project rests upon careful planning."

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "rest upon" for simple physical placements (e.g., "The book rests upon the table") can sound overly formal. Opt for more direct language like "is on" or "sits on" for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rest upon" functions as a verb phrase indicating dependence, reliance, or foundation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It often suggests that the stability or success of something relies on the support or condition provided by something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rest upon" is a versatile verb phrase used to express dependence, reliance, or foundation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic content. It indicates that the success or stability of something relies on the support of something else. While generally neutral to formal, its elevated tone makes it suitable for professional and academic writing. When opting for alternative phrasing, consider "depend on" or "rely on" for contexts that require less formality. Avoid overuse in simple physical contexts where more direct language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

This alternative suggests a direct reliance, similar to "rest upon" but with a more active connotation.

rely on

Similar to 'depend on', this phrase also expresses reliance but can imply a sense of trust.

be contingent on

This phrase indicates that something is conditional or dependent on another factor.

hinge on

This suggests that something pivotal or crucial depends on a particular factor.

be predicated on

This alternative indicates that something is affirmed or based on a particular condition or assumption.

be based on

This suggests a fundamental foundation or origin point, similar to "rest upon" but more general.

be founded on

This phrase indicates that something is established or created with a specific base.

find its basis in

This suggests that something's source or origin is rooted in another element.

take support from

This alternative describes how an element is sustained and upheld, similar to how something would rest upon another element.

lie in

This suggests that the key element or factor is found within something else, providing a basis or explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "rest upon" in a sentence?

Use "rest upon" to indicate that something depends on or is supported by something else, as in "The entire argument "rests upon" this crucial piece of evidence."

What are some alternatives to "rest upon"?

Alternatives to "rest upon" include "depend on", "rely on", or "be based on", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "rest upon" than "depend on"?

"Rest upon" generally carries a more formal tone compared to "depend on", making it suitable for academic or professional writing.

Can "rest upon" refer to physical objects or only abstract concepts?

While "rest upon" can refer to physical objects, it's more commonly used to describe abstract concepts or principles that something relies on. For physical objects, phrases like "lie on" or "sit on" are often more appropriate.