solely dependent on

USAGE SUMMARY

"solely dependent on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is completely dependent on another thing or person for its existence. For example, "The success of this project is solely dependent on the donations we receive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I was solely dependent on this one person, and it was a horrible way to live," she said.

The New York Times

So I was solely dependent on the income which my parents sent me from Nigeria.

The Guardian

The hospital does not provide any psychotherapy or psychological services: patients are solely dependent on medicine.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We're operating in an industry that is run and solely dependent on alcohol sales.

The Guardian - Music

Mutanda says the women in her association are no longer solely dependent on the men.

The Guardian - Money

At this point, flying five hundred feet above the ground, it becomes solely dependent on wind.

The New Yorker

"It has made people understand that an economic recovery solely dependent on deficit spending is very dangerous".

The New York Times

There are communities who are solely dependent on MSF's generosity and support, without which they will face serious crisis.

The Guardian

Self-directed I.R.A.'s are solely dependent on their owners' due diligence.

The New York Times

Those deals mean The Awl is no longer solely dependent on selling display ads.

The New York Times

"But doing it unilaterally or making evaluations solely dependent on students' test scores were not options".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "solely dependent on", ensure that the context clearly indicates the exclusive nature of the dependency. Avoid using it when other factors may also contribute, even if minimally.

Common error

Avoid using "solely dependent on" if the reliance isn't truly exclusive. Using it when multiple factors are at play weakens the statement's accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solely dependent on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating that the subject is entirely and exclusively reliant on something else. As Ludwig shows, this construction emphasizes the critical and singular nature of the dependency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solely dependent on" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to emphasize the exclusive and complete reliance of one thing on another. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for use in written English to clearly convey this meaning. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the dependency is truly exclusive to avoid overstating the relationship. While alternatives like "uniquely dependent on" or "exclusively dependent on" exist, "solely dependent on" offers a direct and clear way to express this specific type of dependency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uniquely dependent on

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of the dependency relationship.

exclusively dependent on

Highlights the exclusivity of the reliance, similar to "solely".

purely dependent on

Stresses the unmixed or unadulterated nature of the dependency.

only dependent on

A more straightforward way of expressing exclusive dependence.

wholly dependent on

Emphasizes the completeness or entirety of the dependence.

entirely dependent on

Synonymous, stresses the completeness of the dependence.

completely dependent on

Another way of saying something relies 100% on something else.

solely conditional on

Focuses on the dependency as a condition for something else.

specifically dependent on

Highlights that the dependence is directed to a specific thing.

just dependent on

Conveys the idea that the dependency is limited to only one factor.

FAQs

How can I use "solely dependent on" in a sentence?

Use "solely dependent on" to indicate that something relies entirely and exclusively on something else. For example, "The project's success is solely dependent on funding".

What are some alternatives to "solely dependent on"?

You can use alternatives like "uniquely dependent on", "exclusively dependent on", or "purely dependent on" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "solely dependent on" or "completely dependent on"?

Both phrases are very similar. "Solely dependent on" emphasizes exclusivity, while "completely dependent on" emphasizes the extent of the reliance. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What does "solely dependent on" imply?

It implies that without the specified factor, the subject in question cannot function, succeed, or exist. It signifies an absolute and exclusive reliance.