contingency plan

USAGE SUMMARY

"contingency plan" is a correct term and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a plan of action for addressing a situation that arises unexpectedly. For example, "We should develop a contingency plan in case of an emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence the contingency plan.

The New York Times

What's your contingency plan?

MIT Technology Review

Have a contingency plan ready.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"We have a contingency plan".

The New York Times

"Is there a contingency plan?

The New York Times

Fortunately, a contingency plan proved unnecessary.

The New York Times

"We didn't have a contingency plan".

The New York Times

DEXTER FILKINS: Emily, no contingency plan.

The New Yorker

There's not even a vague contingency plan.

The New York Times

"Does a contingency plan guarantee success?

The New York Times

But we have a contingency plan".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting a "contingency plan", clearly outline potential risks, triggers for activation, and specific actions to be taken. Ensure all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid treating your "contingency plan" as a static document. Review and update it regularly to account for changing circumstances, new threats, and lessons learned from past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contingency plan" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It identifies a specific type of plan designed for unexpected events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contingency plan" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase referring to a backup strategy designed to address unexpected events. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for general usage. Its prevalence across news media, academia, and formal business contexts underscores its versatility and importance in risk management and strategic planning. When drafting a "contingency plan", remember to regularly update it to account for changing circumstances, document clearly the potential risks and triggers for activation, assign roles and responsibilities to stakeholders. Alternatives such as "backup plan" or "alternative strategy" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

backup plan

Focuses on having an alternative strategy available.

plan B

Emphasizes a secondary plan when the primary one fails.

alternative strategy

Highlights a different approach to achieve the same goal.

fallback option

Stresses having a ready-to-use choice if the main one is not viable.

safety net

Conveys a sense of security and protection in case of failure.

disaster recovery plan

Specifically addresses plans for recovering from disasters.

emergency plan

Focuses on immediate actions during emergencies.

crisis management plan

Emphasizes managing crises with strategic planning.

business continuity plan

Addresses maintaining business operations during disruptions.

course of action

Refers to a determined strategy for achieving an objective.

FAQs

How is a "contingency plan" different from a regular plan?

A "contingency plan" is specifically designed to address unexpected events or potential problems that could disrupt a regular plan. It serves as a backup strategy.

What are some essential elements of a good "contingency plan"?

A good "contingency plan" should include clearly defined risks, activation triggers, alternative actions, assigned responsibilities, and communication protocols.

What can I say instead of "contingency plan"?

You can use alternatives like "backup plan", "plan B", or "alternative strategy", depending on the context.

When is it most important to develop a "contingency plan"?

It's crucial to develop a "contingency plan" before undertaking any critical project, launching a new product, or entering a high-risk situation to mitigate potential negative outcomes.