contingent future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contingent future" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a future event or situation that depends on certain conditions or circumstances being met. Example: "The success of the project is tied to a contingent future, where funding will only be available if the initial phase meets its targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Such points represent efficient combinations of present and contingent future consumption.

Stanford University

"This case clearly involves contingent future events that may not occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all," the judge wrote in his opinion.

The New York Times

The notions of risk and risk landscape provide useful tools for futures research, concerned as it is with the contingent, future courses of events.

Futures

MR. KLOCK -- But JUSTICE BREYER -- Then this case has said, we've said a claim is not right if it rests upon contingent future events that may not occur as anticipated, or indeed may not occur at all.

The New York Times

However, the bill seeks to avoid the situation that has arisen under the present renewal provision, in which third parties have bought up contingent future interests as a form of speculation.

Cornell University

Under section 203, an author's widow or widower and children are given rights of termination if the author is dead, but these rights apply only to grants by the author, and any effort by a widow, widower, or child to transfer contingent future interests under a termination would be ineffective.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

8. Nationalism: Ambiguous Legacies and Contingent Futures: Eugene Kamenka.

Stanford University

This means that among the possible contingent futures there must be one which has a special status, namely that it corresponds to the course of events which is going to happen or take place in the future.

SEP

Some of the price is contingent on future performance.

The New York Times

For many corporations, the process of even starting to calculate liability is difficult, because liability is contingent on future regulations.

The New York Times

But the amount of sunlight the trees will receive is contingent on future construction at ground zero.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contingent future" when discussing scenarios where outcomes depend on specific, uncertain conditions. This phrase accurately conveys the idea that the future event's occurrence is not guaranteed.

Common error

Avoid using "contingent future" when describing any future event. Ensure that the event's realization truly depends on other factors. If an event is highly probable, but not strictly guaranteed, other choices like "likely future" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contingent future" functions as a noun phrase where "contingent" acts as an adjective modifying "future". It describes future events or states that are dependent on certain conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contingent future" refers to future events that are dependent on specific conditions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in scientific, news and academic contexts. Alternative phrases like "conditional future" or "dependent future" can be used to express similar ideas. When using "contingent future", make sure to use it only when the event's realization truly depends on other factors and its occurence is not guaranteed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditional future

Emphasizes the dependency of the future on specific conditions.

dependent future

Highlights that the future's occurrence relies on other factors.

uncertain future

Focuses on the lack of certainty regarding what will happen.

possible future

Suggests one of many potential outcomes.

projected future

Highlights the estimation or forecasting aspect of future events.

eventual future

Emphasizes the eventual occurrence of something, though the timing is uncertain.

prospective future

Implies a future that is anticipated or looked forward to.

speculative future

Focuses on the conjectural nature of the future.

hypothetical future

Suggests a future scenario created for the sake of argument or exploration.

conditional eventuality

A more formal way of expressing a future event that depends on certain conditions.

FAQs

How is "contingent future" used in philosophy?

In philosophy, "contingent future" often refers to events whose occurrence is not predetermined and are subject to chance or free will. It appears frequently in discussions about determinism, free will, and divine foreknowledge, as seen in texts from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

What are some alternatives to "contingent future"?

You can use alternatives like "conditional future", "dependent future", or "uncertain future" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "contingent future"?

This phrase is appropriate in contexts where you need to emphasize that a future outcome is not guaranteed but depends on certain conditions or events. It's suitable for academic, scientific, and formal discussions.

Is "contingent future" the same as "potential future"?

While both terms refer to the future, "contingent future" specifically implies that the future is dependent on specific conditions, whereas "potential future" simply refers to something that could happen without necessarily depending on other factors.