conditions permitting

USAGE SUMMARY

"conditions permitting" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that something is possible if certain conditions are met, such as time, location, availability, etc. For example: "We will go swimming, conditions permitting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

See you next fall (conditions permitting)!

The New Yorker

Beginning in the early 1960's, he was also a nudist, weather and social conditions permitting.

The New York Times - Arts

Once the event is over, the course is often open to the public, conditions permitting.

The Guardian - Travel

Appearing relaxed, Hooker said he hoped to put on a show Friday, weather conditions permitting.

The New York Times - Sports

Conditions permitting, he could talk to his parents every Wednesday.Training Tibetans to understand radio was harder.

The Economist

The Bush administration has wanted to draw down troops for over three years now, conditions permitting.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Service will resume as conditions permit.

The New York Times

TRR open as long as conditions permit.

The New York Times

I have gone faster than conditions permit.

The New York Times - Health

The disposal will probably come early next year, if market conditions permit, they said.

The New York Times

It will progressively divest businesses that do not fit these criteria, as market conditions permit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conditions permitting", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what conditions are being referred to, whether they are weather-related, logistical, or based on other external factors. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "conditions permitting" without specifying what those conditions are. For example, instead of "The event will proceed, conditions permitting", write "The event will proceed, weather conditions permitting" to be more specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conditions permitting" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that the action or event described is contingent upon certain conditions being met. As Ludwig highlights, its use implies a dependency on external factors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conditions permitting" is a common and correct phrase used to indicate that an event or action depends on certain circumstances being favorable. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing contingency and possibility. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify the conditions to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "if circumstances allow" or "contingent on the circumstances" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Be mindful to specify what conditions are critical for the action to occur.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if circumstances allow

Replaces 'conditions' with 'circumstances' and uses 'allow' instead of 'permitting', slightly altering the formality.

assuming the situation is favorable

Emphasizes the favorability of the 'situation' as a prerequisite.

contingent on the circumstances

Highlights the dependency on specific 'circumstances'.

dependent on the situation

Focuses on the 'situation' being the determining factor.

subject to suitable circumstances

Adds a degree of formality by using 'suitable'.

provided that the conditions are right

Uses a more conversational tone with 'are right' instead of 'permitting'.

weather and other factors allowing

More explicit about the types of conditions being considered, specifically weather.

if all goes well

A more informal and optimistic way of expressing the same idea.

circumstances being equal

Implies a degree of uncertainty and the need for stability.

depending on how things go

A very informal way of expressing contingency.

FAQs

How can I use "conditions permitting" in a sentence?

You can use "conditions permitting" to indicate that an event or action is dependent on certain factors being favorable. For example, "We will have a picnic, "conditions permitting"" means the picnic will only happen if the weather is good.

What is a more formal alternative to "conditions permitting"?

A more formal alternative would be "if circumstances allow" or "contingent on the circumstances". These phrases provide a similar meaning but are suitable for more formal contexts like business reports or academic papers.

Is it always necessary to specify the conditions when using "conditions permitting"?

While not always grammatically necessary, specifying the conditions makes your writing clearer. Instead of "The project will proceed, "conditions permitting"", specify it as "The project will proceed, funding "conditions permitting"" for better clarity.

What's the difference between "conditions permitting" and "if possible"?

"Conditions permitting" usually refers to external circumstances or requirements being met, whereas "if possible" indicates whether something can be done based on capability or feasibility. "We will launch the rocket, "conditions permitting"" refers to weather, while "We will finish the report today, if possible" refers to workload.