pending a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pending a decision' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when one outcome is being held in abeyance until a decision is made about it. For example: The court hearing will be postponed pending a decision by the defendant.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They suspended the search last week pending a decision between the federal and state governments.

The New York Times

Tyson said both had been placed on administrative leave, pending a decision.

The New York Times

The IPC has already provisionally suspended the Russian team, pending a decision this weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

The court declared the Al-Wefaq society suspended pending a decision on its total dissolution.

The Guardian

The match has been postponed until Tuesday pending a decision on whether to abandon it.

The Guardian - Sport

Smith's enrollment was pending a decision by the N.C.A.A. Clearinghouse, the university said.

The New York Times

Lamont Hamilton and Mohamed Diakite remain suspended, pending a decision by the university.

The New York Times - Sports

He asked for the case to be stayed pending a decision on funding.

The Guardian

Respondents claim that they would be harmed by detention without a hearing pending a decision on their removal.

Cornell University

pending a decision on whether the alien is to be removed from the United States". §1226(a).

Cornell University

Mr. Gusinsky is in Spain, out on bail pending a decision on whether to extradite him to face the charges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pending a decision", specify who will be making the decision and, if possible, the expected timeline. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "pending a decision" without clarifying what the decision pertains to. Ambiguity can lead to confusion; ensure the context clearly defines the subject of the awaited decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pending a decision" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun. It indicates a state of suspension or temporary delay until a resolution or determination is made. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pending a decision" is a grammatically sound and commonly used prepositional phrase that signifies a temporary hold or delay awaiting a resolution. As Ludwig confirms, it is suitable for written English and its purpose is to convey that a situation is unresolved and dependent on a future determination. It is mostly present in "News & Media", "Academia" and "Wiki". To ensure clarity, especially in formal contexts, it is recommended to specify who will be making the decision. Related alternatives include "awaiting a determination" or "subject to a ruling", each with subtle differences in emphasis. Overall, "pending a decision" is a reliable and versatile phrase for indicating a state of temporary suspension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awaiting a determination

Focuses on the expectation of a final determination being made.

subject to a ruling

Highlights the phrase's dependence on an official ruling.

contingent upon a resolution

Emphasizes that the outcome depends on a resolution being achieved.

dependent on a judgment

Highlights the reliance on a formal judgment to proceed.

until a determination is made

Stresses the temporal aspect of waiting for a determination.

subject to approval

Highlights the requirement for explicit approval before action can be taken.

depending on the outcome

Focuses on the uncertainty and variable results.

conditional on the verdict

Emphasizes that a next step depends on a formal verdict.

subject to confirmation

Stresses that action depends on something being confirmed.

while awaiting adjudication

Highlights the legal context and the process of formal adjudication.

FAQs

How can I use "pending a decision" in a sentence?

You can use "pending a decision" to indicate that an action or process is being delayed until a resolution or determination is made. For example: "The project is on hold "pending a decision" from the board."

What's a good alternative to "pending a decision"?

Alternatives include "awaiting a determination", "subject to a ruling", or "contingent upon a resolution", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who is making the decision when using "pending a decision"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who is making the decision adds clarity and avoids confusion. For instance, "The application is "pending a decision" by the review committee" is clearer than simply "The application is "pending a decision"".

What kind of situations is "pending a decision" typically used for?

"Pending a decision" is often used in legal, business, or academic contexts to describe situations where progress is halted until a formal ruling, judgment, or determination is reached. For example, a court case might be adjourned "pending a decision" on a key piece of evidence.