Was contingent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Was contingent on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something depends on or is determined by another factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project was contingent on securing adequate funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our membership was contingent on good behavior.

The New Yorker

But the financing was contingent on Mr. Damon's directing.

The New York Times

The guarantee was contingent on winning a license.

The New York Times

But the offer was contingent on the memorial's removal.

The New York Times

But the deal was contingent on feedback from Google's rivals.

The New York Times - Tech

The bid was contingent on its being accepted immediately.

The New York Times

The deal was contingent on Pujols taking a physical.

The New York Times - Sports

Guidant said the merger was contingent on a favorable ruling.

The New York Times

The sale was contingent on the defendant's consenting to an assignment of the plaintiff's lease.

Harvard University

Tribune has terminated that sale because it was contingent on the merger with Sinclair.

The New York Times

That deal, valued at 28 million euros, was contingent on further approval from the Swedish government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was contingent on" to clearly indicate a condition that must be met for something else to occur. This emphasizes the dependency between events or actions.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the specific conditions. Always clearly state what the primary subject depended on and what conditions were in place for the subject to occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contingent on" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of dependence or conditionality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, highlighting its role in establishing a relationship where one event or outcome is dependent on another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was contingent on" serves to indicate that a situation or outcome is dependent on specific conditions being met. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and relatively common across various contexts, particularly in news media, academic, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the conditions for contingency are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "depended on" or "was conditional upon" can be used for variety. However, "was contingent on" offers a precise and effective means to express conditionality in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was conditional upon

A more formal way to say 'was contingent on', highlighting the condition that must be met.

Was dependent on

A direct synonym, indicating reliance and necessitation.

Depended on

Emphasizes reliance on a specific factor or condition.

Relied upon

Similar to 'depended on' but can suggest a more formal or weighty dependence.

Hinged on

Suggests that the outcome or success is directly determined by a single crucial factor.

Was subject to

Indicates that something is under the control or influence of another factor.

Was determined by

Indicates that a factor is the main cause or deciding element.

Was predicated on

Indicates that something is based on or derived from a particular assumption or condition.

Turned on

Implies that the outcome or result is directly affected by a specific condition or event.

Was based on

Highlights the foundation or underlying principle that something relies on.

FAQs

How can I use "was contingent on" in a sentence?

Use "was contingent on" to indicate that an event or outcome depended on a specific condition being met. For example, "The deal "was contingent on" regulatory approval".

What are some alternatives to "was contingent on"?

Alternatives include "depended on", "relied upon", or "was conditional upon". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and formality of your writing.

Is there a difference between "was contingent on" and "was dependent on"?

While similar, "was contingent on" often implies a more specific condition that needs to be satisfied, whereas "was dependent on" can suggest a broader reliance. Both "was contingent on" and "was dependent on" are generally interchangeable but consider the nuance of the conditionality.

When is it appropriate to use "was contingent on" in formal writing?

"Was contingent on" is suitable for formal writing when you need to clearly state that an event or agreement is subject to specific conditions being fulfilled. For example in contracts, legal documents, or official reports, you may use "was contingent on".