Phrasal verb RELY ON / UPON

RELY ON / UPON

1. To rely on (or rely upon) somebody or something is to trust someone or something to do what you need or expect them to do.

Often + to do something.

Examples of use:

1. I’m relying on you not to drop me!
2. Can I rely on you to keep my secret?
3. We need someone we can rely on to manage the business for us.
4. I wish I could rely on my train arriving on time.
5. I’m relying on my students to finish their English homework this week.
6. We’re relying on our old car to get us to the airport on time
7. You can rely on Jasmine.

2. To rely on (or rely upon) somebody or something is to need or depend on someone or something in order to work correctly, to succeed, or to survive. Examples of use:

1. We rely on our son to do our food shopping for us.
2. He relies on the income from his writing for paying his bills.
3. Our elderly neighbour relies on her children for help.
4. I’m relying on all of you to work hard and make this team a success.
5. The English students relied on their teachers to help them pass their English exams.
6. Our business relies on government contracts.

Rely upon is a little more formal than rely on.