TOEIC: rely on/ depend on

Question

He always ____ his parents to support his expenses.A) depends onB) relies onC) carries outD) watchesI chose A or B, but am unsure which is the most correct answer. Please explain why.LCChang

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

I'm eager to hear what other people have to say, because they are the same to me!

Hoa Thai · Answer

Hi,

I do not know the test could be that tough!

Between A and B, I would select A for the reason that we often hear, "How many dependents do you have?"

Here is an extract from The American Heritage Dictionary:

"SYNONYMS rely, trust, depend, reckon. These verbs share the meaning to place or have faith or confidence in someone or something.
Rely implies complete confidence: “You are the only woman I can rely on to be interested in her” (John Galsworthy).
Trust stresses confidence arising from belief that is often based on inconclusive evidence: “We must try to trust one another. Stay and cooperate” (Jomo Kenyatta).
Depend implies confidence in the help or support of another: depends on friends for emotional support.
Reckon implies a sense of confident expectancy: “He reckons on finding a woman as big a fool as himself” (George Meredith)."

CalifJim · Answer

He always ____ his parents to support his expenses.

A) depends on
B) relies on
C) carries out
D) watches

I'd say B) relies on.

For some reason, to my ear, always depends seems redundant because depend is a stative verb. (Compare He always lives in New York for He lives in New York.)

CJ

TOEIC: rely on/ depend on

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