depend on/rely on

Question

(1)We tend to depend on cars when we live in the country.(2)We tend to rely on cars when we live in the country.   One of the books I have says #2 doesn't sound as natural as #1. Would you native speakers agree?

Philip · Accepted Answer

Right off hand, neither sounds unusual to my native ear.

Clive · Answer

Hi,
I agree with Philip.

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

I think I expect a person after rely on:
I rely on my brother to critique my writing.
CJ

Taka · Answer

So we've got 'natural:unnatural=2:1' so far. Hmm...

Anonymous · Answer

Hi all,

Children depend on their parents.

Can I use 'rely on' or 'count on' instead of 'depend on' here? If they all work, is there any difference in meaning? Thanks!

Goodman · Answer

In my opinion, these two words are very close in meaing and actually may be interchaneable in limited context but there is a slight weigh difference in term of significance.

Rely weighs a lttle more than depends. If you rely on somebody for something, you may not have the capacity to do it youself. If you depend on someone, you may actually have the capacity to carry out but don't want to or have time to do it.

I rely on my wife to handle the taxes becasue I don't know how to do taxes, period!

The US has relied/ depended on foreign oil for decades.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Goodman,
Thank you for your opinion. However, do 'count on' and 'rely on' work in 'Children depend on their parents'? Thanks.

Goodman · Answer

Anon,
As I said earlier, rely, depend and count onthey are all very similar. I don’t know how to explain it more clearly between these terms. They are context and intent sensitive words as each will vary slightly.

Children rely on their parents for protection and shelter - between the 3, I would use [rely], perhaps [depend]. [count on] is understood but a lesser choice of verb, to me anyway.

If your are in charge of a company picnic of 50 people and your buddy coworker Susan volunteered herself and said " don’t worry about the meat and BBQ stuff, I take care of them". If you accepted her offer, you then, have just counted on her for meat, charcoal, lighter fluid, hot dog buns and etc.

John relies on his truck to make a living because he is a general contractor. [rely] is my choice. However, if you use either one of the three, people won’t call you wrong.

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Goodman,
Thank you very much for giving those examples to explain these terms.
Do you think 'depend on' is better than 'rely on' or 'count on' in the sentence below?
The son is already 20 years old, but he is lazy to get a job to make a living. Therefore, he still depends on his parents. Does count or rely on work here?

Which is better here?
The son is unable to find a job to make a living, therefore he still depends /relys/counts on his parents.

"If you accepted her offer, you then, have just counted on her for meat, charcoal, lighter fluid, hot dog buns and etc."
Don't depend or rely on work here?
Thanks.

Goodman · Answer

The son is already 20 years old, but he is lazy to get a job to make a living. Therefore, he still depends on his parents.

Does count or rely on work here? Yes, if he is able but lazy to work, I would use [rely] to portray his loafing behavior and mentality.
Which is better here?
The son is unable to find a job to make a living, therefore he still depends /relys/counts on his parents.

"If you accepted her offer, you then, have just counted on her for meat, charcoal, lighter fluid, hot dog buns and etc."
Doesn't depend or rely on work here? Based on the above context, [count on] is still my choice.

Will [rely on work here?] well, not perfectly, but it's understood.

Grammar aside, when we chosoe a verb to describe an action in our writing, we should have an idea what we want to convey; as if we are a painting artist who is painting protrait. He need to know how he should work the colors on his pallet and what shade sof colors he needs to use. That's my approach toward writing.

depend on/rely on

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