wholly dependent on

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

So it's not wholly dependent on any one of these other platforms, even though it does rely on public data to power its predictions.

TechCrunch

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.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

The New York Times

The rhythm (speed) of cleavage is wholly dependent on the cytoplasm of the egg.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There was a plotline, wholly dependent on the progress of the interviews themselves, that developed largely in a single room.

The New York Times

"For the first five years, your international registration is wholly dependent on your home-base application," Ms. Reiss explained.

The New York Times

The big difference is that amount you receive is wholly dependent on how much you put into the annuity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wholly dependent on", ensure that the subject's reliance is complete and unconditional. Avoid using it when the dependence is only partial or limited.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly dependent on" when the reliance is partial or there are other contributing factors. Using it incorrectly can overstate the situation and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly dependent on" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or clause. It indicates a state of complete reliance or contingency. As noted by Ludwig AI, this is a common and correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wholly dependent on" signifies a state of complete reliance, as validated by Ludwig AI's analysis. It's widely used across diverse fields like news, encyclopedias, and science to emphasize absolute contingency. While grammatically sound, ensure its usage reflects a genuine complete reliance to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "entirely reliant on" or "completely contingent upon" to fine-tune your expression's formality and emphasis. With its prevalence in authoritative sources and clear communicative purpose, mastering the use of "wholly dependent on" enhances precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely reliant on

Replaces "wholly" with "entirely", which conveys a similar sense of completeness but may sound slightly more formal.

completely contingent upon

Substitutes "dependent" with "contingent", emphasizing the conditional nature of the reliance and using "upon" for a more formal tone.

totally reliant upon

Uses "totally" instead of "wholly", offering a slightly more emphatic alternative, and "upon" for formality.

exclusively dependent on

Highlights that the reliance is limited to only one thing, adding a sense of restriction.

solely reliant on

Similar to "exclusively dependent on", this emphasizes that there are no other factors involved in the reliance.

fully reliant on

Emphasizes the extent of the reliance, indicating it's to the fullest degree possible.

absolutely dependent on

Adds a sense of certainty and inescapability to the reliance.

at the mercy of

Shifts the focus to vulnerability and lack of control, implying that the entity being dependent is in a precarious position.

subject to

Highlights the conditionality and potential impact of external factors.

predicated on

Indicates that something is based on or derives from something else, implying a foundational dependency.

FAQs

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

You can use "wholly dependent on" to indicate complete reliance. For example: "The project's success is "wholly dependent on" securing funding."

What can I say instead of "wholly dependent on"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely reliant on", "completely contingent upon", or "solely reliant on", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "partially dependent on" if something isn't fully reliant?

Yes, "partially dependent on" is appropriate when the reliance is not complete. "Wholly dependent on" implies a complete and unconditional reliance, whereas "partially dependent on" suggests other factors are also involved.

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

"Dependent on" indicates a general reliance, while "wholly dependent on" emphasizes that the reliance is complete and absolute. The addition of "wholly" intensifies the degree of dependence, leaving no room for other influencing factors.