count on someone

Meaning

This expression means to rely on or trust someone to help you, support you, or do what they promised. It is commonly used among friends, family members, and colleagues to express trust and reliability.

Examples

• You can always count on Sarah to help you move to a new apartment.

  You can always count on Sarah to help you move to a new apartment.

• I'm glad I have friends I can count on during difficult times.

  I'm glad I have friends I can count on during difficult times.

• Don't worry about the presentation; you can count on me to handle it.

  Don't worry about the presentation; you can count on me to handle it.

• We need a reliable goalkeeper we can count on in the final match.

  We need a reliable goalkeeper we can count on in the final match.

• I knew I could count on my brother to keep my secret.

  I knew I could count on my brother to keep my secret.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I count with you to finish the project.

  ✓ I am counting on you to finish the project.

  This is a common translation error from languages like Spanish ('contar con'). In English, the preposition is always 'on'.

• ✗ You can count on he.

  ✓ You can count on him.

  'On' is a preposition, so it must be followed by an object pronoun (him, her, them, us) rather than a subject pronoun (he, she, they, we).

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you ever need a ride to the airport, you can count ___ me.

  💡 This preposition follows 'count' when you mean to rely on someone.

  Show answer

  on

• I need a partner I can really count ___ to get things done.

  💡 Think of the standard preposition for this phrasal verb.

  Show answer

  on