pending his return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pending his return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is awaiting or dependent on someone's return. Example: "The project will be put on hold pending his return from vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Sentence was deferred pending his return, and in due course he was pronounced an outlaw for impeding royal justice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By Sunday, he was a patient at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, with Philadelphia detectives standing guard at his room pending his return to New York City to face charges.

The New York Times

The elder Mr. Gravano, who is in the Maricopa County jail in Phoenix pending his return to New York for trial, will be served with an arrest warrant, said Joseph R. Webber, the Customs Service's agent in charge of the New York office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He was released on bail, pending his appeal, but was rearrested last April after phoning his family and telling them he planned to return to the UK.

The Guardian

When Seda returned to Oregon, the U.S. Attorney's office argued that he should be kept behind bars pending his trial on tax charges.

The New Yorker

The suspension was stayed pending his appeal.

The New York Times

He is there pending his asylum request.

The New York Times

He has been free pending his appeal.

The New York Times

He has remained free pending his appeal.

Los Angeles Times

He declined to discuss specifics of his pending return, but he acknowledged that his contract was all but final.

The New York Times - Sports

His village was an eight-hour bus ride away, and the family that had urged him to go was unaware of his pending return.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pending his return" to clearly indicate that a decision, action, or event is being held off until the person in question comes back. It is particularly useful in formal or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid replacing "pending his return" with overly casual phrases like "while he's out" in formal documents or when communicating with superiors. The formal tone of "pending his return" is often crucial for maintaining a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pending his return" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a state of suspension or postponement. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pending his return" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is waiting for a person's return before it can proceed. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples across different contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While alternatives exist, such as "awaiting his return" or "until he returns", the original phrase is particularly suitable for formal or legal settings. Therefore, using "pending his return" effectively involves considering the context and choosing the most appropriate level of formality for your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

waiting for his return

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic meaning: the act of waiting.

awaiting his return

Replaces "pending" with "awaiting", focusing on the act of waiting.

until he returns

Expresses the same idea using a temporal clause, highlighting the duration.

subject to his return

Emphasizes the conditionality based on his return.

dependent on his return

Highlights the reliance on his return for something to proceed.

contingent upon his return

Uses a more formal tone to indicate the dependence on his return.

while awaiting his return

Adds a temporal aspect to the waiting, implying a concurrent activity.

in anticipation of his return

Focuses on the expectation and preparation for his return.

before his return

Indicates something must happen before his return.

in the interim of his return

Highlights a temporary arrangement until he returns.

FAQs

What does "pending his return" mean?

The phrase "pending his return" means that something is waiting to happen or be resolved until a specific person comes back or returns.

How can I use "pending his return" in a sentence?

You can use "pending his return" to indicate that an action or decision is being delayed until someone comes back. For example: "The project's approval is pending his return from the conference."

What are some alternatives to "pending his return"?

Alternatives to "pending his return" include "awaiting his return", "until he returns", or "subject to his return".

Is "pending his return" formal or informal?

"Pending his return" is considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, legal, and official contexts. In more casual settings, you might choose a simpler alternative like "waiting for him to come back".