a conditional offer

USAGE SUMMARY

"a conditional offer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an offer of something that is dependent on certain conditions being met. Example: The university has sent me a conditional offer of admission, stating that I must maintain a 3.5 GPA in my final semester in order to secure my place in the program.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Picking the insurance acceptance option for one of the other schools that made you an offer will give you a back-up option in the event that you don't meet the required conditions for a conditional offer you accepted.

WikiHow

"But we don't just make anyone a conditional offer.

The New York Times

But I tried, and was amazed to receive a conditional offer to study education with English.

The Guardian

I became motivated to go there – and was so happy when I received a conditional offer to study engineering.

The Guardian

In March, Ms. Yousafzai received a conditional offer from Oxford's Lady Margaret Hall, contingent on her exam results.

The New York Times

After the email, Bahari said Nobu rang her to make a conditional offer, which she declined immediately.

The Guardian

Those who fail to get the grades necessary to snap up a conditional offer were also given hope last night.

Independent

Berard became an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2000, when the Leafs did not make him a conditional offer of $1.8 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Last week, Obama directed all federal agencies to take steps toward delaying questions about any criminal history until after they have already made a conditional offer of employment.

The New Yorker

If a student's first choice is a conditional offer, they can also accept a second insurance choice, which asks for lower grades.

The Guardian

If his first choice makes a conditional offer, he'll have to choose an insurance – or backup – university and decline the rest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting a "conditional offer", clearly outline all the conditions that must be met to avoid future disputes. Be specific and leave no room for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague language when specifying the conditions of the offer. Instead of saying 'subject to satisfactory performance', define exactly what constitutes satisfactory performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conditional offer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It identifies an offer that is dependent on specific requirements being fulfilled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a conditional offer" is a very common noun phrase used to describe an offer that is dependent on certain conditions being met. According to Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable phrase. Its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the conditions clearly to avoid potential misunderstandings. When in doubt, consider alternatives such as "offer subject to conditions" or "provisional agreement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditional acceptance

Highlights acceptance that depends on fulfilling particular criteria.

offer dependent on

Focuses on the reliance of the offer on certain factors or events.

offer subject to conditions

Directly indicates that the offer is not absolute but relies on certain preconditions being met.

offer with stipulations

Highlights that the offer includes specific requirements or mandates.

offer predicated on

Suggests that the offer is founded or based on certain conditions.

provisional agreement

Specifies the tentative nature of the agreement, highlighting its dependence on future confirmation.

contingent proposal

Suggests the proposal's validity is dependent on specific circumstances or actions.

qualified acceptance

Emphasizes the acceptance of an offer, but with reservations or modifications to the original terms.

tentative offer

Conveys the offer is preliminary and may change based on further developments.

agreement in principle

Indicates a general consensus but acknowledges that details still need to be finalized.

FAQs

How is "a conditional offer" used in the context of university admissions?

In university admissions, "a conditional offer" means admission is granted provided the applicant achieves specific grades or meets other requirements.

What's the difference between "a conditional offer" and an unconditional offer?

"A conditional offer" requires the applicant to meet certain criteria, whereas an unconditional offer guarantees admission regardless of future performance.

What happens if the conditions of "a conditional offer" are not met?

If the conditions of "a conditional offer" are not met, the offer is typically withdrawn, and the applicant is not admitted.

What can I say instead of "a conditional offer"?

Alternatives include "offer subject to conditions", "provisional agreement", or "contingent proposal" depending on the context.