this relies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this relies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something is dependent on or requires another factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project is uncertain because this relies on the availability of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This relies on investment and brains.

The Guardian

This relies heavily on other strategic risk areas.

The Guardian

If this relies on lofty individuals, nothing will change.

The Guardian

All of this relies on interesting and knowledgeable letter-writers.

Independent

This relies on the assumption that older people are more likely to vote.

The Guardian

And even this relies on growth projections acknowledged to be higher than the consensus.

The Guardian - Business

The technology for this relies on magnetism, namely, magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI).

The Economist

This relies on picture elements, or pixels, with three subunits, each responsible for one of the primary colours.

The Economist

This relies less on repression than on co-opting, dividing and, perhaps most important, demoralising potential challengers.

The Economist

But this relies on my being bothered to do that – and my not telling my daughter in the interim that we have tickets for both.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thousands of reports do flow between the different agencies, but this relies on good will and efficiency in identifying and sharing the right intelligence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this relies", ensure the dependent relationship is clear and unambiguous. Specify what "this" refers to and what it depends on.

Common error

Avoid using "this relies" when the antecedent of "this" is vague or unclear. Always make sure the reader can easily identify what "this" refers to.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "this relies" is to establish a dependency relationship between a subject and a condition or factor. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase for showing that something is contingent on something else. The examples demonstrate its use across different subject areas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this relies" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate dependence or conditionality. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse fields. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, "this relies" connects a subject with the essential conditions for its existence or success. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity in the reference of "this" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "this depends on" or "this hinges on" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a generally neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this hinges on

Changes the verb to "hinges", emphasizing the critical dependence on a single factor.

this is dependent on

Synonymous with "relies on", but provides a slightly different emphasis on the nature of dependence.

this is contingent upon

Replaces "relies" with "is contingent upon", making the sentence more formal and explicit.

this depends on

Uses the simpler verb "depends", suitable for less formal contexts.

this is predicated on

Replaces "relies" with "is predicated on", suggesting a logical foundation or basis.

this is conditional on

Emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship, highlighting that the outcome is not guaranteed.

this requires

Focuses on the necessary conditions, indicating what is needed for something to occur.

this is subject to

Highlights the potential for external factors to influence the outcome.

this necessitates

Emphasizes the compulsory aspect of the relationship, indicating something is unavoidable.

this is grounded in

Suggests that something is based on a fundamental principle or fact.

FAQs

How can I use "this relies" in a sentence?

Use "this relies" to indicate that the success or validity of something depends on a specific factor or condition. For instance, "The experiment's success relies on precise measurements."

What can I say instead of "this relies"?

You can use alternatives like "this depends on", "this hinges on", or "this is contingent upon" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "this relies on" or "this depends on"?

"This relies on" and "this depends on" are largely interchangeable, but "this relies on" may be perceived as slightly more formal in some contexts. However, both are widely acceptable.

What's the difference between "this relies on" and "this is based on"?

"This relies on" suggests a dependency where one thing is necessary for another to function or be valid. "This is based on", on the other hand, suggests a foundation or origin. For example, a conclusion relies on evidence, while a theory is based on observations.