so rely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "so rely on" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete expression and would typically need additional context or restructuring to be usable. Example: "You should rely on your instincts when making decisions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Local governments have limited tax powers, and so rely on land sales; this leads to more property development.

The Economist

The majority of crops grown are "rain fed", so rely on the weather rather than on irrigation.

The Guardian

News organizations and think tanks that wish to do so rely on local and international news reports.

The Guardian

Several, such as south Sudan and Uganda are landlocked, so rely on Kenya's roads and its port of Mombasa for their trade to the outside world.

The Economist

But many have long since sold off everything valuable, and so rely on outright charity from relief groups or churches in this heavily Christian area of China.

The New York Times

This is a critical issue, because the most abundant renewable-energy resources are intermittent — the sun sets; the wind stops blowing — and so rely on some form of stockpiling.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

So, relying on luck and good humor, that is what the newspaper did.

The New York Times

Even so, relying on a conservative court to make things right would be a gamble.

The New York Times

Sources & acknowledgmentsReprints Related items The jet setSep 9th 2010Even so, relying on raw materials carries a series of risks.

The Economist

So relying on them is risky for Mr. Romney, who would also need to spend time crafting a summertime message that appeals to independents and swing voters.

The New York Times

So relying on financial engineering alone to produce big profits for new owners looks risky.In this section A hot topic gets hotter Ripping off would-be greens?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, avoid using "so rely on". Instead, opt for alternatives like "therefore depend on" or "thus trust in" to maintain a professional and polished tone in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "so" followed directly by a verb like "rely" without a subject. Ensure that "so" connects two independent clauses or is part of a construction like "so...that" for correct usage. For instance, instead of "so rely on", restructure your sentence to clearly indicate who or what is doing the relying, such as "Therefore, we rely on..." or "Thus, they depend on..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so rely on" functions as a causal connector, attempting to link a cause with its resulting reliance. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically awkward and often requires restructuring to clearly convey the intended meaning. The presence of a subject is often missing, leading to potential ambiguity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "so rely on" appears across various sources, it is grammatically awkward and requires careful consideration. Ludwig AI identifies it as an incorrect construction in standard written English. Although "so rely on" is intended to express dependence as a consequence, clearer alternatives like "therefore depend on" or "thus trust in" are preferable, especially in formal contexts. Its frequency in News & Media suggests a common yet potentially imprecise usage. When writing, ensure "so" connects two independent clauses or is part of a “so…that” structure to avoid grammatical errors and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore depend on

Replaces "so rely on" with a more grammatically standard construction using 'therefore' as a conjunction and 'depend' as the verb.

thus trust in

Substitutes "rely" with "trust", implying a similar level of confidence, and uses 'thus' as a conjunction to indicate consequence.

consequently lean on

Replaces "rely" with "lean", which suggests reliance for support, and uses 'consequently' to denote the result of a preceding action or state.

as a result depend upon

Offers a formal alternative expressing dependence, initiated by "as a result" to emphasize the cause-and-effect relationship.

henceforth bank on

Suggests relying on something with a sense of future confidence, using 'henceforth' to imply a decision for future reliance.

for that reason count on

Emphasizes the reasoning behind the reliance, offering 'count on' as a more casual way to express dependence.

for this reason place confidence in

A more formal and emphatic alternative that explicitly states the rationale for reliance and the act of placing confidence.

that's why put faith in

Expresses reliance based on a preceding cause using "that's why", and substitutes "rely" with "put faith in", emphasizing trust.

accordingly have recourse to

Suggests turning to something as a fallback option or solution, using 'accordingly' to indicate logical consequence.

because of this fall back on

Indicates a reliance that occurs due to a specific reason or situation, using the phrasal verb "fall back on" to denote resorting to something.

FAQs

What's wrong with the phrase "so rely on"?

The phrase "so rely on" is grammatically awkward and typically requires restructuring for clarity. "So" often functions as a coordinating conjunction, connecting two independent clauses, or as part of a "so...that" construction. Directly following "so" with a verb without a clear subject can lead to ambiguity. Consider alternatives for better sentence structure.

How can I correctly use "so" to express reliance?

To properly express reliance using "so", ensure it connects two complete thoughts or is part of a proper construction. For instance, you can say, "The data is unreliable, "so we rely on" anecdotal evidence", or "It was so difficult that we had to rely on external help."

What are some alternatives to "so rely on" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives to "so rely on" include "therefore depend on", "thus trust in", or "consequently lean on". These options provide clearer grammatical structure while expressing a similar sense of dependence or consequence.

Is "so rely on" ever appropriate in formal writing?

Given its grammatical ambiguity, "so rely on" is generally unsuitable for formal writing. In formal contexts, opt for more precise and grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism. Using phrases such as "as a result depend upon" or "for this reason place confidence in" will enhance the credibility of your writing.