Phrasal verb
count on
Meanings
to rely on someone for help, support, or to do what they said
to expect something to happen and plan based on that expectation
Definition
To count on someone or something means to rely on them or expect them to happen.
If you count on someone, you trust that they will do what they promised or help when you need it. If you count on something, you expect it to happen and plan based on that expectation. It often implies confidence, but it can also warn that something is not reliable.
Examples
- I can always count on my sister to pick me up from the station.
- You can count on the bus being crowded at 8 a.m.
- He counted on his teammates to cover for him during the drill.
- She didn’t count on the road being closed, so she arrived late.
- They count on good communication to keep the project moving.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "count on" (rely/expect) with "count" (do math) and say "count" alone when they mean rely on someone.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.