contingent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "contingent" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to describe a group of people, usually as an adjective, who are dependent on a certain condition or circumstance. For example, "The contingent of miners were determined to strike until their demands were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One way or another the major UK parties have been pretty rough in their election campaign efforts to neutralise or exploit the likely consequences on Westminster of an SNP-dominated contingent from Scotland.

The Guardian

O'Donnell said it was clear there would be reasonable debate about political legitimacy if the Tories were the largest party but did not form a government, partly due to the presence of a large Scottish Nationalist contingent, but he pointed out voters had in two referendums rejected both a shift from first past the post and Scotland leaving the union.

The Guardian

She wants us to consider any tax implications for us all, and also contingent liabilities and the legal aspect of any arrangements.

The Guardian - Money

They were promised a contingent of NHS volunteers and also directly recruited nurses and doctors in the UK themselves – including the healthcare worker now being treated for Ebola at the Royal Free hospital in London.

The Guardian

She began by declaring that "people have given their backing to Ed Miliband's plans," which was greeted with gales of laughter from the Ukip contingent.

The Guardian

The relatively high 35% turnout and utter humiliation of the loony contingent suggests a significant number of people did indeed engage with the issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

That said, purchases are not on a preset course, and the Committee's decisions about their pace will remain contingent on its outlook for the labor market and inflation as well as its assessment of the likely efficacy and costs of such purchases.

The Guardian - Business

In August and September, a large contingent of Russian troops – a rebel leader said at the time that 1,200 military personnel and 150 pieces of equipment had arrived from Russia – reportedly helped rebel fighters turn back a Ukrainian advance that had made it to the outskirt of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The Guardian

The contingent of youth ambassadors will travel to Germany from around the globe as part of their involvement in One campaign's movement for more aid to be allocated to the world's poorest.

The Guardian

Carmichael was one of only three non-SNP candidates to win a Scottish seat on 7 May: 56 Nats, one Tory, one Labour, one Lib Dem, that's the Westminster contingent.

The Guardian

They will make common cause with the large, rabidly rightwing contingent on the Tory backbenches.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contingent", clearly state the condition or factor upon which something depends to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contingent" as a simple synonym for "possible". "Contingent" implies a dependency on a specific condition, whereas "possible" only suggests a potential occurrence. Always clarify the dependency.

Linguistic Context

The word "contingent" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate dependence or conditionality. It can also function as a noun, referring to a group of people or things forming part of a larger entity. Ludwig provides examples illustrating both uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contingent" is a versatile term used to express dependence or conditionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used. Functioning as both an adjective and a noun, "contingent" appears most often in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, indicating a formal register. When writing, ensure the condition upon which something is "contingent" is clearly stated. Alternatives like "conditional" or "dependent" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditional

Emphasizes the dependence on a specific condition being met.

dependent

Highlights the reliance of one thing on another.

subject to

Indicates that something is liable to be affected by something else.

depending on

Specifies that the outcome is determined by another factor.

uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty or predictability.

possible

Suggests that something could happen but is not guaranteed.

liable

Implies a risk or potential for something to occur.

provisional

Describes something that is temporary or subject to change.

unforeseen

Highlights the unexpected nature of an event or circumstance.

incidental

Indicates that something is secondary or not essential.

FAQs

How is "contingent" used in a sentence?

Use "contingent" to show dependence. For instance, "The project's success is "contingent on" securing additional funding."

What does "contingent" mean?

"Contingent" signifies dependence on specific conditions or circumstances. It can also refer to a group of people or things that are part of a larger assembly.

What are some synonyms for "contingent"?

Alternatives include "conditional", "dependent", or "subject to", depending on the context.

How does "contingent" differ from "possible"?

"Contingent" implies a dependency on a specific condition, while "possible" simply suggests something might happen. A "contingent" event relies on another event; a possible event doesn't necessarily.