would rely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would rely on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express dependence or trust in something or someone in hypothetical or conditional situations. Example: "In times of crisis, we would rely on our team to make the best decisions for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nasa knew that its entire moonshot challenge would rely on one thing above all others – navigation.

The Guardian

He would rely on them.

The Washington Post

And it would rely on synthetic DNA.

The New York Times

That too would rely on waiting until the next Congress.

The Guardian

Any deal would rely on support from those suppliers.

The Guardian - Business

He wondered why any environmentally "enlightened" country would rely on incineration and trash dumps.

Columbia University

And they would rely on real-life rather than escapist scenarios.

The Economist

This is because such computers would rely on quantum bits (qubits) to store and process data.

The Economist

And for fuel, the report said, he would rely on banned substances.

The New York Times - Sports

For those banks that operate across borders, this system would rely on coordination among national authorities.

The New York Times

Both would rely on apps scattered across the screen as they are on the iPad.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would rely on" to indicate a conditional dependence or expectation. For example, "If the weather worsens, we "would rely on" our emergency supplies."

Common error

Avoid using "would rely on" when a more direct or active verb is appropriate. For example, instead of "The project "would rely on" teamwork", consider "The project requires teamwork".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would rely on" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a conditional dependence or expectation. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound construction. Examples show its use in expressing how someone or something will depend on another entity in a hypothetical scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would rely on" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express conditional dependence or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains including news, science, and formal business contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances in meaning; "would depend on", "would count on", and "would trust in" offer slight variations. Remember to use "would rely on" when accurately portraying a conditional dependence and prefer a more active verb where possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would depend on

This alternative is almost interchangeable with "would rely on" but suggests a slightly stronger sense of necessity.

would count on

This implies a confident expectation that someone or something will be available or helpful.

would bank on

This suggests a strong degree of certainty or confidence in a particular outcome.

would lean on

This implies seeking support or assistance from someone or something during a difficult time.

would trust in

This emphasizes the belief in the reliability or honesty of someone or something.

would have faith in

Similar to "would trust in", this suggests a strong belief in the positive qualities of someone or something.

would resort to

This indicates turning to something as a last option when other methods have failed.

would turn to

This implies seeking help or guidance from someone or something.

would fall back on

This suggests having something available as a backup plan or safety net.

would reckon with

This means to consider or take into account, particularly when something poses a challenge or obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "would rely on" in a sentence?

You can use "would rely on" to express a conditional dependence or expectation. For example: "If we run out of funding, we "would rely on" donations to continue our work."

What's a good alternative to "would rely on"?

Alternatives include "would depend on", "would count on", or "would trust in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "would rely on" or "would depend on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Would depend on" may suggest a stronger sense of necessity, while "would rely on" can imply more trust or confidence. Consider the specific context to choose the most fitting phrase.

What is the difference between "would rely on" and "would resort to"?

"Would rely on" indicates a standard or expected course of action. "Would resort to", on the other hand, suggests turning to something as a last option, typically when other methods have failed. For example, "We "would rely on" our savings for daily expenses" versus "We "would resort to" selling our belongings if we lost our jobs".