contingent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"contingent upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something is dependent on something else. For example, "You may have the job, contingent upon passing a background check."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The acquisition is contingent upon the Iamgold deal being terminated.

The New York Times

His payment was contingent upon receiving those invoices.

The New York Times

Is the bliss of making in fact contingent upon some imagined communion with another person?

The New Yorker

But that agreement was contingent upon giving MSG the right to match it.

The New York Times - Sports

She had agreed, contingent upon my finding a slightly better job than pumping off-brand gasoline.

The New Yorker

The change in the law is contingent upon the payment being completed.

The New York Times

Most observers agree the success of Detroit is contingent upon whether its schools can be fixed.

The Guardian

These tables summarize outcomes — in this case, survival — that are contingent upon subgroup categories.

The New Yorker

Part of the payment is contingent upon IntelliSense achieving certain performance objectives.

The New York Times

We should not make the mistake of thinking that all trust is contingent upon full disclosure".

The New York Times

The alliance is contingent upon Vodafone's succeeding in its bid for Mannesmann.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, place "contingent upon" near the element it modifies, clarifying the conditionality.

Common error

Avoid embedding multiple conditions within a single sentence using "contingent upon". Break down complex conditions into simpler sentences for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contingent upon" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a condition or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that something is dependent on a specific event or circumstance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contingent upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express conditionality. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for formal and professional contexts, such as news reporting, scientific writing, and business communications. While alternatives like "dependent on" or "subject to" exist, "contingent upon" adds a layer of formality. Remember to state the condition clearly to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's examples highlight its versatility across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dependent on

This alternative directly replaces "contingent upon" with a more common synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

subject to

This phrase conveys a similar sense of conditionality, often used in legal or contractual contexts.

conditional on

This option explicitly uses the adjective form of "condition", providing a clear and direct synonym.

depending on

This is a more conversational way to express the same idea, suitable for less formal contexts.

if and only if

This alternative presents a stronger, more definitive condition, implying a strict equivalence.

provided that

This option introduces a condition or stipulation, often used in legal or formal settings.

on the condition that

This phrase explicitly states that something is only true or possible under a specific condition.

predicated on

This alternative indicates that something is based on or depends on a particular foundation or assumption.

hinges on

This suggests that the outcome or success of something relies heavily on a specific factor.

reliant on

This option emphasizes the dependence or reliance on something else for success or fulfillment.

FAQs

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

Use "contingent upon" to indicate that something will happen only if a specific condition is met. For example, "The deal is "subject to" due diligence" or "Approval is "dependent on" board review".

What are some alternatives to "contingent upon"?

You can use phrases like ""dependent on"", ""subject to"", or "conditional on" to express the same idea. The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "contingent upon" formal or informal?

"Contingent upon" is generally considered a formal phrase. In less formal contexts, alternatives like "depending on" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "contingent upon" and "subject to"?

Both phrases indicate that something is conditional, but "subject to" often implies a potential for change or modification, while "contingent upon" emphasizes the necessity of meeting a specific condition. They are often interchangeable, but "subject to" might be used when the condition involves a review or approval process.