conditional

USAGE SUMMARY

"conditional" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that describes something that is dependent on something else happening or being fulfilled. For example: "We will accept the offer, but only on a conditional basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They also outscore conditional transfers, because some families eligible for these fail to meet the conditions through no fault of their own (if they live too far from a school, for instance).Does this mean that governments are wasting time and money by monitoring and enforcing conditions, when handing over cash would be just as good?

The Economist

Miller has said his offer is conditional on the receipt of written guarantees that Rangers will suffer no further football penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

653ef21f-1c21-472e-bc5f-fd4464d2b60a The Blue Knights Consortium, in conjunction with the Sale Sharks owner Brian Kennedy, has submitted a formal but conditional bid to take control of Rangers.

The Guardian - Sport

"This offer we consider to be substantial and is conditional on a CVA being approved by the creditors, and Mr Whyte's shares being acquired.

The Guardian - Sport

After a three-day trial at Westminster magistrates court all the defendants, who are aged 19 to 42, were given a six-month conditional discharge and a £1,000 fine for prosecution costs.

The Guardian

The Western Australian environment minister, Albert Jacob, has granted the company conditional environmental approval to develop the remote east Pilbara project after more than four years of consultation and environmental studies.

The Guardian

When pressed on whether future law enforcement cooperation would be conditional on the death penalty not applying, Bishop said: "After the federal police reviewed its operations in relation to this matter, guidelines are in place and we're satisfied with those guidelines".

The Guardian

Similarly, any bailout of debt-laden hospital trusts such as King's College, south London, which ended the last financial year £47m in the red, has to be strictly conditional on them adopting different ways of working.

The Guardian

In plenty of other functioning democracies, in fact, politicians and voters plainly understand that the party that wins a parliamentary election does not necessarily get to form the government (and that even if it does, it could perfectly well be a minority administration relying when necessary on the conditional support of a range of smaller parties).

The Guardian

Because contracts are set in nominal terms, they would agree to a nominal wage, or set a price, which conditional on their expectations of future inflation, would get them their desired real outcome.

The Guardian

He was granted conditional bail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conditional", ensure the condition is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what exactly something is conditional upon.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the full scope of the condition. Be explicit about all aspects of the "conditional" relationship to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The word "conditional" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is dependent on specific conditions or requirements being met. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something that is dependent on something else happening or being fulfilled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conditional" is a versatile adjective used to express that something is dependent on certain conditions. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes dependencies. With a high frequency of use, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it's important to understand its grammatical function and communicative purpose. To avoid ambiguity, clearly state the conditions associated with the term. Alternatives like "contingent upon" or ""subject to"" offer similar meanings depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding its correct usage will significantly enhance your writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contingent upon

Emphasizes the dependence of something on a specific event or condition.

subject to

Highlights that something is liable to be affected by a particular condition.

dependent on

Directly indicates reliance on a particular factor or event.

provided that

Introduces a specific requirement that must be met.

with the condition that

Explicitly states that something is allowed only if a specific requirement is fulfilled.

qualified

Indicates that something is not absolute or complete due to certain limitations.

limited by

Focuses on the restrictions or constraints placed on something.

based on the premise

Emphasizes that the validity of something relies on a foundational assumption.

dependent upon fulfillment of

Highlights reliance on the full completion of specific requirements.

under certain circumstances

Indicates that something is only true or applicable in specific situations.

FAQs

How to use "conditional" in a sentence?

Use "conditional" to describe something that is dependent on a specific condition. For example, "The offer is "subject to" a "satisfactory inspection"" means the offer is only valid if the inspection is satisfactory.

What can I say instead of "conditional"?

You can use alternatives like "contingent upon", ""subject to"", or "dependent on" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "conditional approval" or "unconditional approval"?

"Conditional approval" means approval is granted with certain requirements, while "unconditional approval" means approval is granted without any requirements.

What's the difference between "conditional" and "provisional"?

"Conditional" implies that something depends on meeting specific requirements, while "provisional" suggests something is temporary or subject to later confirmation or adjustment.