be contingent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be 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 project's success will be contingent on securing adequate funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Participation will be contingent on specific circumstances.

The New York Times

Your integrity should not be contingent on his.

The New York Times - Magazine

Further reductions will be contingent on new negotiations.

The New York Times

Progress should not be contingent on a ceasefire.

The Guardian - Opinion

The investments would also be contingent on emissions being captured.

The Guardian

Any timetable will be contingent on the successful resolution of these issues".

The New York Times

Any loans would be contingent on the bank's receiving federal approval.

The New York Times

And none of this should be contingent on the formation of a new government in Baghdad.

The New Yorker

The right to life should not be contingent on the ability to pay.

The New York Times

rules because the grants appear to be contingent on manufacturers using parts made in China.

The New York Times

The EU declined to provide any military help and said aid would be contingent on reforms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be contingent on", ensure that the condition is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Success will be contingent", specify "Success will be contingent on securing funding".

Common error

Avoid using "be contingent on" without specifying the condition. For example, saying "Approval will be contingent" is unclear. Instead, specify what the approval depends on, such as "Approval will be contingent on the review board's decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be contingent on" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that an event or outcome is dependent on a specific condition. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples, showing consistent usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be contingent on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies dependence on a specific condition. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread use across various domains, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "depend on" and "rely on" exist, "be contingent on" offers a nuanced way to express conditionality, especially in formal contexts. Remember to clearly state the condition to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend on

This is a more direct and commonly used alternative, implying reliance on something else.

hinge on

This suggests that something is critically dependent on a single factor.

rely on

This implies trust and dependence on something for support or success.

be subject to

This indicates that something is conditional and can be affected by certain factors or rules.

be conditional on

This is a more formal and explicit way of stating that something depends on a condition.

be dependent on

Similar to 'depend on', but slightly more formal.

rest on

This suggests that the outcome is based or founded on something.

be determined by

This emphasizes that something is decided or influenced by a specific factor.

be predicated on

This is a more formal way of saying that something is based or founded on something else.

turn on

This suggests that the outcome significantly changes based on a specific event or condition.

FAQs

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

The phrase "be contingent on" indicates that something depends on a specific condition. For example, "The project's success will be contingent on securing adequate resources".

What can I say instead of "be contingent on"?

You can use alternatives like "depend on", "rely on", or "be subject to" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "be contingent on" and "depend on"?

While both phrases indicate reliance, "be contingent on" often implies a more formal or critical condition. "Depend on" is generally more versatile and commonly used in everyday language.

Is it correct to say "is contingent of" instead of "be contingent on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "contingent" in this context is "on". Saying "is contingent of" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use "be contingent on".