are contingent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are contingent upon" 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 is contingent upon securing adequate funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These tables summarize outcomes — in this case, survival — that are contingent upon subgroup categories.

The New Yorker

And the platform's stars behave in ways that are contingent upon a camera.

The New Yorker

But many of the trades under consideration are contingent upon other deals the Mets' trade partners are making.

The New York Times - Sports

The I.R.S. investigation stalled deals to sell interests in synthetic fuel plants and the credits generated by them, because such sales are contingent upon buyers receiving new rulings.

The New York Times

For example, he said, most contracts are contingent upon the purchaser's obtaining a commitment for a mortgage within a specific period of time.

The New York Times

But 60 percent of that financing is federal matching dollars that are contingent upon whether providers meet quality and efficiency standards.

The New York Times

But they have indicated that their bids are contingent upon receiving support from the government, just as it did with the rescues of Bear Stearns, and the government-sponsored agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The New York Times

But those Republican votes are contingent upon having a full Senate floor debate on the defense bill for as long as two weeks, a setting where even a few recalcitrant Republican senators can create days of delaying mischief.

The New York Times

Those figures are contingent upon the number who respond to the offer, which is likely to go to people who lost their homes between Jan . 1 , 2008and Dec. 31, 2011.

The New York Times

Russia has made it very clear that reductions in its nuclear arsenal are contingent upon American compliance with the Antiballistic Missile Treaty, and China -- with only a handful of ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States -- will certainly deploy more missiles to sustain its deterrent capability.

The New York Times

Of course, all of those are contingent upon Twitter having the APIs for those features ready to go.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are contingent upon", ensure that the dependent and independent elements are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what outcome depends on what condition.

Common error

Avoid using "are contingent upon" with overly broad or undefined conditions. Be specific about the circumstances that influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are contingent upon" functions as a linking verb phrase expressing a relationship of dependence or conditionality between two elements. It indicates that the truth or occurrence of one thing is conditional on the occurrence of another. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are contingent upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, according to Ludwig. It serves to indicate that an event or outcome is dependent on certain conditions being met. The phrase is appropriate for formal and academic writing, as well as news reporting, reflecting a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "depend on" exist, "are contingent upon" adds a layer of specificity regarding conditionality. Therefore, use it to clearly express dependence while being mindful of the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

This alternative is simpler and more direct, suitable for most contexts.

are dependent on

This alternative is a formal and direct synonym.

are conditional on

This alternative emphasizes the conditional nature of the relationship.

hinge on

This alternative suggests that something vitally depends on something else.

rest on

This alternative suggests that something relies on a foundation.

are subject to

This alternative indicates that something is liable to be affected by something else.

are reliant on

This alternative implies a strong dependence or reliance.

are determined by

This alternative highlights that something is decided or controlled by something else.

are predicated on

This alternative suggests a logical basis or assumption.

are controlled by

This alternative indicates a stricter form of influence or conditionality.

FAQs

How to use "are contingent upon" in a sentence?

Use "are contingent upon" to express that one thing depends on another. For instance, "Project success is contingent upon securing funding."

What can I say instead of "are contingent upon"?

You can use alternatives like "depend on", "are conditional on", or "hinge on" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are contingent upon" or "depend on"?

Both "are contingent upon" and "depend on" are correct, but "are contingent upon" is often considered more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.

What's the difference between "are contingent upon" and "are dependent on"?

"Are contingent upon" and "are dependent on" are largely synonymous, both indicating reliance or dependence. "Are contingent upon" emphasizes conditionality, while "are dependent on" stresses reliance.