Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

if and when issued

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if and when issued" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or financial contexts to indicate that something will be provided or become effective at an unspecified future time. Example: "The shares will be allocated to investors if and when issued by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Follow-up began when restraining orders were served (or when issued if no date of service was available), and ended on September 7, 2010, the date of our records request.

Follow-up began when DVROs were served (or when issued if no date of service was available); median duration was 689 days.

Deciding if and when to issue a trigger warning is no easy task.

News & Media

HuffPost

If and when he issues a public apology, we will welcome it.

News & Media

Huffington Post

abad5a67-49ee-47da-ad0c-6b1e60d2175c Ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions when issuing an invitation to a meal, and try to remember them.

This has blinded western citizens to the fact that the west's loss of standing is not something that started, for example, with WikiLeaks or Edward Snowden's revelations and it will not end if and when those issues have been resolved.

Second, if and when legal issues are resolved, telecoms will have to give subscribers a reason to switch from satellite and cable providers to their service, while being at the mercy of content providers when negotiating pricing.

News & Media

Forbes

Fan engagement dictates if and when new issues will drop.

News & Media

Vice

A new reporting requirement goes into effect for 2011: brokers must report a client's basis in a stock or other asset when issuing a Form 1099 if they handled the purchase during 2011.

News & Media

The New York Times

Appropriate faculty members will be contacted if and when an invitation is issued to the applicant.

"It's certainly valuable to have someone in place in Syria if and when the tribunal issue is going to blow up," said Paul Salem, the director of the Carnegie Endowment's Middle East Center, in Beirut.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal and financial documents, use "if and when issued" to clearly state that an action or provision is dependent on a future issuance or authorization. This clarifies that the obligation or benefit only arises if the specified issuance actually occurs.

Common error

Avoid using "if and when issued" when the issuance is already guaranteed. The phrase implies uncertainty, so using it in situations where the issuance is a formality can create confusion and weaken the clarity of your statement.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

69%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if and when issued" functions as a conditional conjunction, indicating that something will occur only under specific circumstances and at a particular time in the future. Ludwig shows its use in contexts where actions or events are dependent on official authorization or release.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if and when issued" serves as a formal conjunction, establishing contingency based on both a condition and a time. While Ludwig AI states it is correct and usable, examples are rare. Its communicative goal is to clearly denote an action is dependent on future issuance. Given its use in legal and official settings, the phrase maintains a formal register. It is best employed when denoting uncertainty about an event’s occurrence and should not be used when issuance is guaranteed.

FAQs

How can I use "if and when issued" in a sentence?

You can use "if and when issued" to indicate something will occur contingent on a future issuance. For example, "The contract becomes valid "if and when issued" by the governing body."

What are some alternatives to "if and when issued"?

Alternatives include "upon issuance", "subject to issuance", or "contingent upon issuance". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "if and when"?

While "if" and "when" can sometimes overlap, using them together emphasizes both the condition (if) and the timing (when) of an event. In legal and formal contexts, this combination can provide added clarity.

How does the meaning change if I use "when issued" instead of "if and when issued"?

Using "when issued" assumes the issuance is guaranteed, focusing solely on the timing. Adding "if" introduces uncertainty, indicating the action is conditional and may not happen at all. Thus, "if and when issued" provides a more cautious and precise statement.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

69%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: