you may rely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you may rely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone can depend on or trust something or someone. Example: "In this matter, you may rely on my expertise to guide you through the process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

You may rely on it.

The New York Times

Both are old-school dealers, where you may rely upon discovering charismatic curiosities.

The Guardian - Travel

You may rely that every care will be taken of the premises and their contents.

Harvard University

When a cultural phenomenon – full-blown psychedelia, say – demands a certain level of derangement, you may rely on Japan to go above and beyond.

The Guardian - Music

You may rely heavily on data and analysis (logos) to make a point and in so doing create a perception of expertise and authority on a topic (ethos).

Harvard Business Review

He wrote in his diary: "You may rely upon it, the Confederate States Government has come here feeling that there is between it and us something of an antagonism".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

They may rely on you not to let them get too scared, and that won't improve your fear at all.

WikiHow

Alternately, someone may rely on information you provide to their detriment.

WikiHow

The lessor may rely on the representations of other parties.

Cornell University

People may rely on animals for transport, ploughing or food.

Independent

Those families may have less charity at stake, but may rely on it more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "you may rely", ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom one can depend on. For instance, "In this matter, you may rely on my expertise to guide you through the process."

Common error

Avoid using "you may rely" excessively in contexts where a more direct and active voice would be more impactful. Instead of "You may rely on the data", consider "The data supports our conclusion" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you may rely" functions as an assurance or guarantee. It indicates that the listener or reader can depend on the truth or reliability of something. Ludwig shows several examples where this phrase is used to convey confidence and certainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

23%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you may rely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey assurance and build trust. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and wiki sources, indicating a broad applicability. While generally neutral to professional in register, it's important to use it thoughtfully to ensure the context clearly indicates what or whom one can depend on. Remember that there are various alternatives, such as "you can depend on" or "you can trust", that may be more suitable depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you can depend on

Emphasizes the ability to count on someone or something for support or assistance. It changes the structure by using the verb "can" instead of "may".

you can count on

Highlights the reliability and trustworthiness of someone or something; "count on" is a more informal idiom than "rely on".

you can trust

Focuses directly on the aspect of trust and confidence in a person or thing, simplifying the original phrase.

you can be assured

Provides a sense of guarantee or certainty, emphasizing the confidence one can have; shifts focus to the recipient's feeling.

you have my word

Offers a personal promise or guarantee, emphasizing the speaker's commitment and integrity; more personal and direct.

it is guaranteed

Indicates a firm promise or assurance, shifting the emphasis to the certainty of the outcome rather than personal reliance.

rest assured

Provides comfort and reassurance, implying that there is no need to worry because something is certain or taken care of; a more concise, idiomatic expression.

have confidence in

Suggests a strong belief in the reliability or ability of someone or something, differing in structure by using a noun phrase.

place your trust in

Encourages someone to entrust their confidence or dependence to a particular entity or idea; more formal and emphatic.

it's a safe bet

Implies that something is highly likely or certain to happen, differing by using an informal idiom.

FAQs

What does "you may rely" mean?

The phrase "you may rely" means that someone can depend on or trust something or someone. It suggests confidence in the reliability or truthfulness of what is being stated.

When is it appropriate to use "you may rely"?

It is appropriate to use "you may rely" when you want to assure someone that they can trust or depend on something. It is often used in formal or professional contexts to convey certainty and reliability.

What can I say instead of "you may rely"?

You can use alternatives like "you can depend on", "you can count on", or "you can trust" depending on the context.

Is "you may rely on" formal?

Yes, "you may rely on" is generally considered a more formal expression. In less formal settings, phrases like "you can count on" or "you can depend on" might be more appropriate.