totally dependent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally dependent on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a complete reliance on something or someone. Example: "The success of the project is totally dependent on the team's collaboration and communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We're totally dependent on the weather".

The New York Times - Food

"We are totally dependent on ourselves," Mr. Allen said.

The New York Times - Health

But I told him: 'I'm totally dependent on you.

The New York Times

So he's totally dependent on somebody else," Irfan said.

The New Yorker

He is totally dependent on others for all his needs.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Palestinian Authority is totally dependent on Israel," Rubinstein said.

The New Yorker

"We're totally dependent on it, but it's also very abstracted.

The Guardian - Tech

Derocher: It's totally dependent on the sea ice changes.

Yale University

She spent her days quietly, totally dependent on others.

The Guardian - Arts

As a woman, she is totally dependent on others.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Trump accused Germany of becoming 'totally dependent' on Russian energy at the U.N.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally dependent on", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being relied upon and the nature of the dependence. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "totally dependent on" when the reliance is not absolute. Overstating the dependence can weaken your argument if there are other contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally dependent on" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate complete reliance. As shown by Ludwig, it connects a subject to the condition of being entirely reliant on something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally dependent on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey complete reliance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science, indicating its versatility. When writing, be mindful of overstating the dependence if it is not absolute. Alternatives such as ""entirely reliant on"" or ""absolutely contingent on"" can offer nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely reliant on

Emphasizes complete reliance, similar to "totally dependent on", but uses 'reliant' instead of 'dependent'.

wholly dependent on

Uses 'wholly' to highlight the completeness of the dependence.

fully dependent on

Highlights the complete state of dependence.

completely reliant on

Focuses on the reliance aspect, similar to 'entirely reliant on'.

absolutely contingent on

Indicates that something's existence or occurrence is conditional on something else.

strictly dependent on

Suggests that the dependence is rigid and inflexible.

utterly dependent on

Emphasizes the degree of dependence as being absolute or extreme.

primarily dependent on

Suggests that while there may be other factors, the primary influence is from one source.

heavily reliant on

Indicates a significant degree of reliance.

largely contingent on

Similar to 'absolutely contingent on' but allows for some minor exceptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally dependent on" to show that something relies entirely on something else. For example, "The project's success is "totally dependent on" securing funding."

What are some alternatives to "totally dependent on"?

Alternatives include "entirely reliant on", "wholly dependent on", or "absolutely contingent on", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "dependent on" or "reliant on"?

Both "dependent on" and "reliant on" are correct, but "reliant on" often implies a more active form of trust or dependence. "Totally dependent on" emphasizes the completeness of that reliance, and can be interchanged with "totally reliant on".

What's the difference between "dependent on" and "contingent on"?

"Dependent on" generally means relying on something, whereas "contingent on" means something's occurrence is conditional upon something else. For total dependence, use "totally dependent on"; for complete conditionality, "absolutely contingent on" might be more accurate.