as a contingency plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a contingency plan" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a course of action or plan that is implemented as a backup in case something else fails or a situation changes unexpectedly. Example 1: "As a contingency plan, the company had a backup generator in case of a power outage." Example 2: "The team decided to hire additional staff as a contingency plan in case the workload became too overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Garrard was signed in March as a contingency plan in case Sanchez was released or traded and Smith faltered.

The New York Times - Sports

However she said that shops in the Village would be open from 7am to ensure that any additional footfall can be responsibly handled as a contingency plan.

Independent

But Dixon described that notion as "a contingency plan way down their schedule" and insisted his squad were focused on the challenge of facing the reigning NRL champions.

The Guardian - Sport

The Lakers interviewed at least two other candidates, D'Antoni and Mike Dunleavy, on Sunday, in what was viewed as a contingency plan.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have done housing a lot later in previous years," he said, "and the later you do it, the less cancellations you get" because less people apply for MIT housing as a contingency plan.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As they had a week ago when the strike began, schools officials said Sunday that they would open 147 schools with nonunion workers as a contingency plan for children with nowhere else to go.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

In other words, she doesn't so much "know" what her mate is going to do, as have a contingency plan in place to counter any aggressive move on his part.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Only last month the prison service said it would be mothballed as part of a contingency plan against future rises in the prison population.

The Guardian

"Don't worry about the test of my leadership," Mr. Emanuel said, in an appearance at one of scores of sites opened in a rush as part of a contingency plan to manage displaced students who had nowhere else to go.

The New York Times

A document drawn up as part of a contingency plan, codenamed Operation Yellowhammer, also says the government might have to go on emergency round-the-clock footing for months after a hard Brexit.

The Times

The East of England Ambulance Service set up a treatment tent outside over Easter as part of a contingency plan.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining projects, always clearly define the conditions under which the "as a contingency plan" will be activated. This ensures that everyone involved knows when to switch strategies.

Common error

Avoid depending too heavily on your contingency plan. It should serve as a safety net, not a primary strategy. Make sure that your initial plan is robust and well-considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a contingency plan" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by providing context for why an action is being taken, specifically indicating that the action is a backup or alternative in case the primary plan fails. Ludwig confirms this through its real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a contingency plan" serves as an important indicator of preparedness and proactive risk management. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, notably in news, science, and formal business settings. Its purpose is to communicate that an action is being taken as a backup strategy in case the primary plan encounters problems. While using "as a contingency plan", remember to clearly define the triggers for its activation and to not over-rely on it, ensuring the primary plan remains robust. Alternatives like "as a backup measure" or "as a safety net" can be used for semantic variation. By considering these factors, you can effectively use "as a contingency plan" to demonstrate foresight and mitigate potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a backup measure

Emphasizes the action taken is a secondary precaution.

as a safety net

Highlights the protective aspect of having an alternative.

as an alternative strategy

Focuses on the strategic nature of the secondary approach.

as a failsafe

Indicates a mechanism designed to prevent failure.

as a reserve plan

Stresses the idea of keeping something in reserve for later use if needed.

as a precautionary step

Highlights the proactive nature of the alternative action.

as a fallback option

Emphasizes that it's an option to fall back on.

in case of emergency

Specifies that it's for use only during critical situations.

as a Plan B

Uses a more direct and commonly understood label for an alternative plan.

as a last resort

Implies that it should only be used when all other options have failed.

FAQs

How can I use "as a contingency plan" in a sentence?

Use "as a contingency plan" to describe actions taken as backup measures in case the primary plan fails. For example, "We developed a second marketing strategy "as a contingency plan" in case the initial campaign didn't perform well."

What's a good alternative to "as a contingency plan"?

Alternatives to "as a contingency plan" include "as a backup measure", "as a safety net", or "as an alternative strategy", depending on the context.

Is it necessary to always have something "as a contingency plan"?

While not always mandatory, having a contingency plan is often prudent, especially in situations where the primary plan carries significant risk or uncertainty. It provides a safety net and can mitigate potential negative outcomes.

What differentiates a 'backup plan' from something implemented "as a contingency plan"?

The terms are often interchangeable. However, implementing something "as a contingency plan" often implies a more formal or structured approach to risk management, whereas a 'backup plan' might be more informal. Consider using "as a reserve plan" as another interchangeable option.