are pending

USAGE SUMMARY

"are pending" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express that something is waiting to be decided. For example, "The results of the election are pending."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their cases are pending.

The New Yorker

The lawsuits are pending.

The New York Times

Other cases are pending.

Independent

Four cases are pending.

The New York Times

Charges are pending.

The New York Times - Sports

Services are pending.

The New York Times

Others are pending.

The New York Times

Funeral services are pending.

The New York Times

The cases are pending.

The New York Times

Several lawsuits are pending.

The New York Times

Details are pending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are pending" when you want to convey that something is awaiting a decision, confirmation, or completion. Ensure the subject is plural to match the verb "are".

Common error

Avoid using "is pending" with plural subjects. For instance, instead of "The cases is pending", use "The cases are pending".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are pending" is to serve as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating that a state or condition is currently in effect while awaiting a future resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are pending" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that indicates something awaits a decision or completion. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Primarily found in News & Media, the phrase also appears in Formal & Business settings, maintaining a neutral register. When using "are pending", ensure subject-verb agreement, and consider alternatives like "are awaiting resolution" for a more formal tone. Remember, this phrase serves to inform that a resolution is yet to be determined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are awaiting resolution

Emphasizes the expectation of a resolution in the future. More formal.

are under consideration

Highlights the active process of evaluating something.

are yet to be decided

Directly states the lack of a decision at the current time. Slightly more emphatic.

remain unresolved

Focuses on the continuing lack of a resolution. More formal and negative.

are in limbo

Implies a state of uncertainty and suspension. More informal.

are on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension. Less formal.

are in the pipeline

Indicates that something is in progress but not yet completed. More business-oriented.

are outstanding

Highlights that something is not yet done or resolved. Slightly more formal.

are up in the air

Emphasizes uncertainty and unpredictability. More informal.

are forthcoming

Suggests that something will be available or revealed soon. More formal.

FAQs

How can I use "are pending" in a sentence?

You can use "are pending" to indicate that something is waiting for a decision or outcome. For example, "The election results "are pending"" or "Several lawsuits "are pending" adjudication".

What's a formal alternative to "are pending"?

A more formal alternative could be "are awaiting resolution", which emphasizes the expectation of a future decision.

Is it correct to say "is pending" if the subject is plural?

No, it is incorrect. "Is pending" is for singular subjects. The correct form for plural subjects is ""are pending"". For instance, "The applications are pending", not "The applications is pending".

How does "are pending" differ from "are under review"?

"Are pending" generally means something is waiting for a decision or action, while "are under review" indicates that something is currently being examined or evaluated. The former implies a state of waiting, while the latter implies an active process.