count on
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To trust someone or be sure that something will happen.
Literal meaning: To count (enumerate) something that you rely upon — mostly transparent but with idiomatic extension.
Meanings
1 A2 neutral
To trust and believe that someone will do what is needed or expected.
"You can always count on Maria to stay calm in an emergency."
"You can count on me."
— Bruno Mars, 'Count on Me' (song, 2010)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral
To be confident that something will happen in a certain way.
"Don't count on the weather being perfect — bring a jacket just in case."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
One of the most common phrasal verbs in English. Can be followed by a noun or a gerund ('count on him', 'count on him arriving'). Informal and neutral registers both.
Commonly used with
support help vote friendship experience team
Forms
Base
count on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
counts on
he/she/it
Past simple
counted on
yesterday
Past participle
counted on
have + pp
-ing form
counting on
continuous
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