# count upon

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/count-upon
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to rely on someone or something, especially when you need help or expect a specific result.

For teachers: to depend on or place trust in a person, entity, or outcome with the expectation of support or fulfillment.

## Examples

- You can always count upon your family for support.
- The team is counting upon a victory in tonight's game to stay in the tournament.
- In times of economic instability, investors often count upon gold as a reliable hedge against inflation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I count upon that you will help." but "I count upon you to help." — this phrase usually takes a noun or a person + infinitive rather than a 'that' clause.

## Usage notes

- more formal than 'count on' but used in the same way with a following object.
- Teaching tip: point out that 'count upon' and 'count on' are interchangeable, though 'upon' is less common in casual conversation and more frequent in writing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.