is contingent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"is contingent upon" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is dependent upon something else and is usually followed by a clause. For example: "The success of the project is contingent upon the team's ability to work together effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The acquisition is contingent upon the Iamgold deal being terminated.

The New York Times

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

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

But I don't think that happiness is contingent upon finding it".

The Guardian - Film

Punk, maybe more than any other genre, is contingent upon the body.

The New Yorker

License eligibility in the state is contingent upon passing character as well as criminal history background checks, the spokesperson added.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The Guardian

"But in Irrational Man, the film is contingent upon the age difference; the movie is about that disparity.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is contingent upon", ensure that the condition it refers to is clearly defined and understandable to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what the outcome depends on.

Common error

Avoid using "is contingent upon" with overly broad or undefined conditions. Ensure the reader understands precisely what the outcome hinges on. Instead of saying "Success is contingent upon effort", specify "Success is contingent upon consistent effort and strategic planning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is contingent upon" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is dependent on a specific condition or event. It establishes a relationship of dependence, where the outcome is not certain but rather relies on the occurrence or fulfillment of something else. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is contingent upon" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates dependence on a specific condition. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and most prevalent in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives like "is dependent on" exist, "is contingent upon" offers a more formal tone and emphasizes conditionality. When using this phrase, ensure the condition is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Keep in mind as a conclusion a balance between frequency and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is dependent on

Replaces "contingent" with "dependent", offering a more common and slightly less formal alternative.

is conditional on

Substitutes "contingent" with "conditional", emphasizing the conditional nature of the relationship.

is subject to

Focuses on the idea of being under the control or influence of something else.

hinges on

Implies that the outcome entirely relies on a single factor.

relies on

Highlights the reliance or dependence on a particular element.

is predicated on

A more formal alternative, indicating that something is based or founded on something else.

is determined by

Emphasizes that something is directly decided or influenced by another factor.

is governed by

Suggests that something is controlled or regulated by a specific condition.

is susceptible to

Indicates a vulnerability to being affected by something.

is affected by

A more general term, showing that something is influenced or changed by another factor.

FAQs

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

Use "is contingent upon" to show that something depends on a particular condition being met. For example, "The deal "is contingent upon" regulatory approval" means the deal will only proceed if regulators approve it.

What can I say instead of "is contingent upon"?

You can use alternatives like "is dependent on", "is conditional on", or "relies on" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "is dependent on" or "is contingent upon"?

"Is dependent on" is generally more common and less formal than "is contingent upon". The choice depends on the desired tone and audience. "Is contingent upon" is appropriate in more formal or technical contexts, while "is dependent on" is suitable for everyday use.

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

"Is contingent upon" implies that something will only happen if a specific condition is met. "Is subject to" suggests that something is potentially affected or controlled by something else, often with a negative connotation. For example, "The contract is contingent upon final review" versus "The contract is subject to changes".