contingent on

USAGE SUMMARY

"contingent on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is dependent on or determined by another factor. For example, "The success of the project is contingent on the budget that is approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forget hazy language about offers being contingent "on approved credit".

The New York Times

It is contingent on the percentage".

The New York Times

Hope is not contingent on any outcome".

The New York Times - Health

Our liberty is contingent on everyone else's.

The Guardian - Books

"Everything is contingent on my job situation".

The New York Times

Construction is contingent on finding another supermarket.

The New York Times

Participation will be contingent on specific circumstances.

The New York Times

Our membership was contingent on good behavior.

The New Yorker

The opening is contingent on several requirements.

The New York Times

Payment is contingent on delivering good outcomes.

Harvard Business Review

Marin's work is contingent on forgiveness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contingent on", ensure the sentence clearly states both the condition and the outcome. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "contingent on" when the relationship is merely correlational and not causal. Reserve it for situations where one thing directly depends on another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contingent on" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate that its occurrence, existence, or nature is dependent on a specific condition. Ludwig examples show it being used to express that a future action or decision relies on another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contingent on" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something is dependent on a particular condition. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, the phrase's function is to denote conditionality, often in formal contexts. When employing "contingent on", clarity is vital; ensure that the condition and outcome are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "dependent upon" and "subject to" exist, "contingent on" offers a precise way to express a conditional relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dependent upon

Replaces "contingent" with "dependent", creating a more direct synonym with minimal change in structure.

Conditional upon

Adds emphasis to the conditional nature of the relationship, highlighting the dependency.

Subject to

Indicates conditionality but is slightly more formal and implies a degree of control or authority.

Determined by

Emphasizes the factor that has the power to decide the outcome.

Hinges on

Suggests that everything depends on a particular thing.

Relying on

Shifts the focus to the act of reliance, suggesting a stronger dependence on something.

Predicated on

Suggests the action or claim is based on.

Governed by

Similar to determined by, implying some guidelines of sorts.

Based on

Implies a foundation or reason for something, rather than strict conditionality.

Dependent on the fact that

Adds emphasis to the element that makes something possible.

FAQs

How can I use "contingent on" in a sentence?

Use "contingent on" to indicate that an event or action is dependent on another. For example, "The project's success is contingent on securing funding."

What can I say instead of "contingent on"?

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

Is it correct to say "contingent to" instead of "contingent on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "contingent" is "on". Saying "contingent to" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "contingent on" and "depending on"?

"Contingent on" implies a stricter dependency or condition than "depending on". "Contingent on" suggests that something is impossible without the specified condition, while "depending on" simply indicates that it may vary.