Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Relied On'

"True wisdom lies in knowing the people you can truly rely on when storms cloud your life's horizon."

📖 Definition

To rely on means to trust and depend on someone or something for support, help, or to achieve something successfully. It involves placing faith in the abilities or qualities of the entity being relied upon.

Examples in context

Children often rely on their parents for guidance and nurture through their formative years.
The success of the event relied on the meticulous planning by the organizing committee.
She felt confident going abroad, as she could rely on her linguistic skills to communicate effectively.

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

This phrasal verb cannot be separated by its object.

Neutral

Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	rely on	I rely on my colleagues to meet our deadlines.
Past Simple	relied on	She relied on her friends during difficult times.
Present Continuous	relying on	He is relying on his team to finish the project.
Present Perfect	have relied on	They have relied on their instincts for decision making.

💡 When to Use

In professional settings

Use when discussing trust in coworkers or systems needed to achieve goals or meet deadlines.

Example: "In our team, we rely on each member’s expertise to exceed client expectations."

In personal relationships

Express trust in friends or family when discussing emotional or practical support systems.

Example: "During her recovery, she relied on her family for emotional support."

When discussing technology

Used to describe dependency on tools or software solutions in problem-solving contexts.

Example: "Many startups rely on technology to streamline their operations and reach more customers."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Use of incorrect object order

❌ Wrong: I rely my mentor on for advice.

✅ Correct: I rely on my mentor for advice.

💡 Tip: Place the object after the verb.

Incorrect verb form with subject

❌ Wrong: He relying on you tomorrow.

✅ Correct: He is relying on you tomorrow.

💡 Tip: Use 'is' with 'relying on' for a singular subject.

Misuse in passive voice

❌ Wrong: The project was relied on by peers.

✅ Correct: Peers relied on the project.

💡 Tip: Prefer active voice with 'rely on'.

Practice

RELIED ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

Children often rely on their parents for guidance and nurture through their formative years.
Words Multiplied
2
Listen to example

The success of the event relied on the meticulous planning by the organizing committee.
Words Multiplied
3
Listen to example

She felt confident going abroad, as she could rely on her linguistic skills to communicate effectively.
Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

depend on count on

Antonyms

distrust

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"In times of need, she knew she could ___ on her best friend for support."

relate

relied on

refer

react

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Relied On

What is the origin of relied on?

The phrase 'rely on' comes from Old French 'relier', meaning to bind. Over time, it evolved to denote trust or dependence. Its nautical roots reflect how sailors depended on the wind, emphasizing the concept of essential reliance for survival.

Can relied on be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'relied on' is versatile, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it's used in professional or academic discussions, while informally, it's common in everyday conversations, highlighting dependency or trust across various scenarios.

What is the difference between relied on and depend on?

'Relied on' implies trust or expectation in someone/something, often emotional. 'Depend on' indicates necessity or a functional requirement. Both express dependency but differ slightly in emotional depth and context of use, with 'relied on' often conveying more personal trust.

Browse All Words Multiplied Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

RELIED ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Relied On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega