wholly dependent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly dependent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something relies entirely on something else for support or existence. Example: "The success of the project is wholly dependent on the team's ability to collaborate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Toyota doesn't want to be wholly dependent on one supplier.

The Guardian - Business

Today they are wholly dependent on guns and ammunition.

The Guardian

We welcome football but we're not wholly dependent on football.

The Guardian - Sport

Scotland, which is a wholly dependent parasite of England, will, after "independence", become a wholly dependent parasite of Brussels.

Independent

Many Eastern European nations are wholly dependent on Russia for fuel.

The New York Times

They were wholly dependent on the offerings of nature and the fickle moods of the skies.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Until then, you are wholly dependent on us for your parts".

The New Yorker

The Whites, by contrast, were almost wholly dependent on foreign aid.

Britannica

The dairy industry in Oklahoma, however, is wholly dependent upon artificial ice, or its substitutes.

Cornell University

Peroxisomes are functionally diverse organelles that are wholly dependent on import of nuclear-encoded proteins.

Journal of Plant Physiology

Lithuania is currently wholly dependent on Russia to supply its natural gas.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wholly dependent", ensure the context clearly indicates what is relying on what. For example, specify, 'The project's success is wholly dependent on securing funding'.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly dependent" when the reliance is partial or moderate. "Partially dependent" or "somewhat reliant" are more appropriate when the reliance is not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly dependent" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate complete reliance or contingency. Ludwig shows that the phrase typically describes a state of being where one entity is entirely reliant on another for its existence, function, or success.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly dependent" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase indicating complete reliance. As Ludwig confirms, its strength lies in conveying a situation where one thing is entirely contingent on another. While it's suitable for various contexts, its prevalence in news, scientific, and business domains suggests a formal tone. When using "wholly dependent", ensure the context clarifies the relationship between the dependent and supporting entities, avoiding its use in scenarios where reliance is only partial. Alternatives like "entirely reliant" or "completely contingent" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely reliant

Focuses on the act of relying, emphasizing trust and dependence.

fully reliant

Stresses the completeness of the reliance, indicating total dependence.

totally reliant

Highlights the comprehensive nature of reliance.

utterly reliant

Adds a sense of absoluteness to the reliance, emphasizing the lack of independence.

completely contingent

Highlights the conditional nature of the dependence, emphasizing that something depends on something else to happen.

absolutely contingent

Like 'completely contingent' but adds emphasis, suggesting an even stronger conditionality.

exclusively dependent

Emphasizes the lack of other options or sources of support.

solely reliant

Similar to 'exclusively dependent', highlighting the single source of reliance.

purely dependent

Underscores the simplicity and straightforwardness of the dependence.

in all respects dependent

Specifies that the dependence is across every aspect or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly dependent" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly dependent" to express that something relies entirely on something else. For example, "The company's profits are "wholly dependent" on the success of its new product line."

What's the difference between "wholly dependent" and "partially dependent"?

"Wholly dependent" means complete reliance, whereas "partially dependent" indicates only some reliance. If something is "partially dependent", it has other sources of support or influence as well.

Are there synonyms for "wholly dependent"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "entirely reliant", "completely contingent", or "fully reliant" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "wholly dependent on" or "wholly dependent with"?

The correct phrasing is "wholly dependent on". The preposition "on" indicates what something is relying upon. Using "with" is grammatically incorrect in this context.