What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
resorted
Example
He resorted to stealing to feed his family. [resorted: past tense]
Example
I had no choice but to resort to asking my neighbor for help. [resort: verb]
relied
Example
I relied on my friend's advice to make the right decision. [relied: past tense]
Example
She always relies on her intuition to guide her. [relies: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Relied is more commonly used than resorted in everyday language. Relied is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while resorted is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between resorted and relied?
Both resorted and relied are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.