for contingency

USAGE SUMMARY

"for contingency" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that may be needed or used in case of an emergency or unforeseen circumstance. For example, "We put an extra generator on standby for contingency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost all claimants' lawyers work for contingency fees.

The New York Times

The chancellor has already set aside £3bn for contingency planning.

The Guardian

Mr. Annan met with the Council ambassadors to appeal for $120 million for contingency planning.

The New York Times

It's possible that the appetite for "contingency" that Storr praises is particularly African.

The New York Times - Style

You really need to allow for contingency because literally what they assumed was: anything can happen.

Yale University

Another $16.2 million is earmarked for contingency reserves and engineering by Metro-North.

The New York Times

The amount for "contingency" remains at the previous level of 10%.

The Guardian

Other tickets went to sponsors and hospitality clients or were reserved for contingency purposes.

Independent

Split models are an extension of graphical models for contingency tables.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

They were represented by a fractious coalition of American and Ecuadoran lawyers, most of whom were working for contingency fees.

The New Yorker

The statement is not binding and only provides for contingency planning (all of which has been done before).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for contingency" when discussing proactive planning for potential disruptions or emergencies. It highlights the importance of being prepared for unexpected events.

Common error

Avoid using "for contingency" when "contingently" is more appropriate. "Contingently" describes something that is true only under certain conditions, while "for contingency" refers to planning for possible future events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for contingency" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate the purpose or reason behind an action, allocation, or resource. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes preparation for possible future events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for contingency" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase that indicates preparation for unexpected events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally considered correct for use in written English. With a neutral register, it fits diverse contexts, including news reporting, scientific publications, and business communications. When using "for contingency", ensure clarity about the specific scenarios covered and avoid confusing it with related terms like "contingently".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to allow for unforeseen events

Directly acknowledges the possibility of unexpected occurrences.

in case of emergency

This alternative directly addresses emergency situations, offering a more specific context than the broader "contingency".

as a precaution

Focuses on the preventative aspect, highlighting actions taken to avoid potential problems.

as a safety net

Presents the concept of a protective measure in case something goes wrong.

for backup purposes

Emphasizes having a secondary option available if the primary one fails.

to be on the safe side

Indicates a desire to minimize risk and ensure a positive outcome.

for a rainy day

An idiomatic expression referring to saving or preparing for a time of need.

in anticipation of need

This implies proactive preparation based on an expected future requirement.

for future planning

Shifts the focus to general planning rather than specific unexpected events.

in preparation

A more general term that lacks the explicit sense of uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "for contingency" in a sentence?

You can use "for contingency" to describe resources, plans, or measures set aside to deal with unexpected events. For example, "The budget includes funds "for contingency" in case of cost overruns".

What are some alternatives to "for contingency"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in case of emergency", "as a precaution", or "to allow for unforeseen events", depending on the specific context.

Is "for contingency" formal or informal?

The phrase "for contingency" is generally considered neutral to formal and is appropriate for professional, academic, and news-related contexts.

What's the difference between "for contingency" and "contingency plan"?

"For contingency" refers to the purpose or reason behind an action or allocation, while "contingency plan" refers to a specific plan designed to address potential unexpected events or emergencies.