pending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is awaiting a decision, confirmation, or completion. Example: "The application is still pending approval from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With this legislation pending, as well as a presidential campaign and an ongoing battle to reform the NSA, it doesn't seem likely that Paul is ready to follow in Gravel's footsteps.

The Guardian

Of the 1,243 UK applications pending for judicial assessment at the end of last year, over 1,000 relate to voting rights for prisoners – the unresolved issue that has provoked a bitter stand-off between the UK parliament and the ECHR.

The Guardian

The modelling, from the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (Natsem) found low-income families could lose $3,734 in 2015-16, equatong to more than $70 a week, under measures in this year's budget and those still pending from last year, while families on incomes of more than $120,000 were left marginally better off.

The Guardian

Asked if Farah, the Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m champion, should suspend his relationship pending further investigation, Coe, also a double Olympic champion, said: "That's for Mo to decide.

The Guardian - Sport

I wonder how many Australians would approve the idea of jailing a person pending trial "just in case" they might commit an offence.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have repeatedly contacted them showing them proof the order still says pending but again, that is ignored.

The Guardian - Money

The hen harrier, threatened by persecution from the landowning classes, has emerged as a symbol of the downtrodden and therefore the most 'Guardian' candidate (editorial endorsement pending).

The Guardian

But, as we revealed in December, Grinling Gibbons's 2014 results were not published in league tables pending an investigation by the STA.

The Guardian

Local authorities have been able to pass bans or temporary stays on following the laws in their town or county, pending further local votes or any legal challenges.

The Guardian

Richards said after the ruling on Tuesday that the order for copies of the original documents to be released would be put on hold pending any application by Ipsa to the supreme court for permission to appeal.

The Guardian

One cable on terrorism warned: "Ecuador's judicial institutions remained weak, susceptible to corruption, and heavily backlogged with pending cases".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pending" to clearly indicate that an action, decision, or event is awaiting a future resolution. It provides a concise way to express that something is not yet finalized.

Common error

Ensure the context clarifies what the subject is "pending" on. Vague usage can lead to confusion. For instance, specify "pending approval" rather than just saying something is "pending".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pending" is as an adjective, describing a state of being unresolved or awaiting further action. Ludwig shows examples like "legislation pending" or "investigation pending" illustrating this adjectival use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "pending" is frequently used to describe something awaiting a resolution, decision, or completion. As Ludwig AI indicates, its proper usage is grammatically correct and particularly common in news and formal contexts. When using "pending", ensure clarity regarding what the subject is waiting for to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "awaiting" or "in progress" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "pending" is a reliable term for indicating a state of anticipation or unresolved status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting decision

Focuses specifically on the decision-making aspect of something being unresolved.

remaining unresolved

Emphasizes the lack of resolution or completion.

yet to be decided

Highlights that a final decision has not been reached.

still in progress

Indicates ongoing activity but not yet finished.

under consideration

Suggests that something is being actively thought about.

in the pipeline

Implies that something is planned and will happen in the future.

subject to confirmation

Highlights the need for official approval or validation.

on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension or delay.

hanging in the balance

Suggests uncertainty about the outcome.

imminent

Focuses on the closeness of something happening soon.

FAQs

How can I use "pending" in a sentence?

You can use "pending" to describe something awaiting a decision or completion, such as "The application is "pending approval"" or "The legislation is "pending review"".

What are some alternatives to "pending"?

Alternatives to "pending" include "awaiting", "in progress", or "under consideration", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "pending on"?

While sometimes used informally, it's generally more grammatically sound to use "pending" followed directly by the noun or action it modifies. For example, "pending approval" is preferred over "pending on approval".

What is the difference between "pending" and "impending"?

"Pending" refers to something awaiting resolution or completion, while "impending" refers to something about to happen, often something negative or threatening. For example, "pending decision" vs. "impending doom".