Count on meaning
Count on means to trust that someone will help you or do what they promised. It can also mean to expect something to happen and make plans because of it.
count on somebody
count on · counted · counting
You can always count on me. Just call.
Count on meanings and examples
2 meanings, each with its own CEFR level from Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries and the Cambridge Dictionary.
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1
Trust that someone will help you or do what they promised
count on somebody
- You can always count on me. Just call.
- I knew I could count on my sister to help.
- Can we count on you for Saturday’s game?
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2
Expect something to happen and make plans because of it
count on something
- We were counting on good weather for the wedding.
- Don’t count on getting a seat on the early train.
- I didn’t count on so many people coming.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use count on in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is count on separable?
Count on is not separable. The person or thing comes after on: count on Maya, count on her. With a verb, use -ing or someone + to: count on her to help.
In formal English you may see count upon. Do not count on it means I don’t think it will happen.
Verb tenses for count on
| Present | I count on · she counts on |
|---|---|
| Past | counted on |
| Present perfect | have counted on |
| -ing form | counting on |
Common mistakes with count on
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: You can count me on.
Right: You can count on me.
Count on is not separable.
Wrong: I’m counting on you for helping me.
Right: I’m counting on you to help me.
Use count on someone to do something.
Wrong: We can count with him in a crisis.
Right: We can count on him in a crisis.
The particle is on, not with.
Synonyms and opposites of count on
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- rely onvery close; rely on is a little more formal
- depend onneed someone or something, or be decided by it
- bank oninformal, be sure something will happen
Opposite
- let downfail to do what someone was counting on you to do
- doubtnot be sure someone will help or something will happen
Count on quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1Don’t worry, I’ll be there. You can ___ me.
Count on someone means trust them to help.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Use count on someone to do something; it is not separable.
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3“Will the bus be on time?” “Don’t count on it.” What does the second speaker think?
Don’t count on it means it probably will not happen.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get onA2go onto a bus, train, plane, boat or bike
- put onA2dress yourself in clothes, shoes or glasses
- take onB2give someone a job
- go onB1continue, or last for a period of time
- come onB1tell someone to hurry or to try harder
- turn onA2make a light, machine or tap start working
- carry onA2continue doing something
- work onB1spend time making or improving something
Count on FAQ
Questions people ask about count on.
What is the difference between count on and rely on?
They mean almost the same. Rely on is a bit more formal and is often used for things too: I rely on my car.
What does you can count on me mean?
It is a promise: I will help you and I will not let you down.
What does count me in mean?
Count me in is different. It means I want to join: A trip to the lake? Count me in!
Use count on in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.