RELYING ON

Human Communication

"Relying on the strength of one's character can illuminate pathways unseen in the trials of life, revealing true resilience."

📖 Definition

Relying on means to depend on or trust someone or something with confidence. It often suggests placing trust in their abilities or resources.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

Relying on means to depend on or trust someone or something with confidence. It often suggests placing trust in their abilities or resources.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
This verb is not separable and must always appear together.
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Neutral
Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires an object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple rely on I rely on my friends for support.
Past Simple relied on She relied on her map to find the way.
Present Continuous relying on He is relying on the bus to arrive on time.
Present Perfect have relied on We have relied on our instincts before.

💡 When to Use

Expressing trust
Use when you want to show confidence in someone's abilities or dependability in a situation.
Example: "You can always rely on her to get things done."
Highlighting dependence
Use when describing a situation where something or someone is crucial for success.
Example: "The team relies on its star player for victories."
Indicating a habitual action
Use when someone consistently depends on particular resources or support.
Example: "They rely on the train to commute every day."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect preposition
❌ Wrong: I rely at my parents for advice.
✅ Correct: I rely on my parents for advice.
💡 Tip: Remember: 'rely' pairs with 'on', not 'at'.
Using without an object
❌ Wrong: He relies frequently.
✅ Correct: He relies on his mentor frequently.
💡 Tip: Always specify what or whom you rely on.
Wrong verb tense
❌ Wrong: We relyed on our instincts.
✅ Correct: We relied on our instincts.
💡 Tip: Use correct past tense: 'relied'.
Practice

RELYING ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

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

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    She is relying on the teacher to explain the difficult concepts.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    During the blackout, they relied on candles for light.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Relying on healthy food is essential for a strong immune system.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

depend on count on

Antonyms

distrust

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During the journey, they were ___ on Sacagawea's guidance."

relying to
relying on
relying for
relying at

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Relying On

What is the origin of relying on?

+
The phrase 'relying on' comes from the Old French word 'relier', meaning to bind together. It implies placing trust or dependence.

Can relying on be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'relying on' is suitable for both contexts. It conveys trust and dependence, making it versatile for various situations.

What is the difference between relying on and depend on?

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While both 'rely on' and 'depend on' indicate trust, 'rely on' conveys more personal dependence, whereas 'depend on' can include wider systemic dependence.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

depending oncounting onbuilding onleaning onbanking on
Browse All Words Multiplied Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
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



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