reliance
B2Formal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
The state of being dependent on or having trust in something or someone.
A thing on which someone depends; a source of support or supply.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Emphasizes a continued or habitual trust/dependence. Often implies a degree of vulnerability or necessity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in form or primary meaning. Usage frequencies are comparable.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties, often carrying a formal or analytical tone.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written, formal contexts (e.g., business, academic reports) than in casual speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reliance on/upon [noun/phrase]reliance for [noun/phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A fool and his money are soon parted (highlighting over-reliance on luck).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to strategic dependencies, e.g., 'The company aims to reduce its reliance on a single supplier.'
Academic
Used in discussing theoretical models, data sources, or methodological approaches, e.g., 'The study's limitations include its reliance on self-reported data.'
Everyday
Used to discuss personal dependencies, e.g., 'My reliance on satellite navigation is absolute.'
Technical
In engineering/computing, describes system dependencies or fail-safes, e.g., 'The network's robustness reduces reliance on any single node.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Children have a lot of reliance on their parents.
- Our reliance on technology is growing every year.
- He showed too much reliance on his friend's advice.
- The country's heavy reliance on imported oil is a major economic weakness.
- The report criticises the government's over-reliance on temporary staffing solutions.
- The philosophical argument posits an inherent reliance of subjective experience on intersubjective validation.
- Her journey towards self-reliance was marked by a deliberate weaning off institutional support.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-LI-ANCE. You 'lie' (rest) your trust 'on' something again (re-). You are 're-lying' on it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A FOUNDATION (e.g., 'built on a foundation of mutual reliance'). DEPENDENCE IS A BURDEN (e.g., 'the heavy reliance weighed on them').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to "релианс" (non-existent). The correct conceptual equivalents are "зависимость" (dependence), "доверие" (trust), "опора" (support).
- Do not confuse with "reliability" (надёжность). "Reliance" is the act of trusting, while "reliability" is the quality of being trustworthy.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'reliance of' (correct: 'reliance on/upon').
- Misspelling as 'relianece' or 'relyance'.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'to rely').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is the word 'reliance' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but context-dependent. 'Healthy reliance' is positive, 'over-reliance' or 'blind reliance' is negative.
They are often synonyms. 'Dependence' can have stronger physiological connotations (e.g., drug dependence), while 'reliance' often emphasises an active choice to trust.
No. The verb form is 'to rely on/upon'. 'Reliance' is only a noun.
In different contexts: independence, self-sufficiency, distrust, or autonomy.
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