pending litigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pending litigation" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to legal cases that are currently in progress or awaiting resolution. For example, "The company cannot comment on the matter due to pending litigation." Alternative expressions include "ongoing legal proceedings" and "active lawsuit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

DPS declined to discuss pending litigation.

The Guardian

Hosts to be named, pending litigation.

The New York Times - Arts

State officials said they would not comment on pending litigation.

The New York Times

A MERS spokeswoman declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

The New York Times

An N.F.L. spokesman declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

The New York Times - Sports

Kone declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

The New York Times

A Chase spokesman declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

The New York Times

The state attorney general declined to comment on pending litigation.

The New York Times

The F.D.A. said it would not comment on pending litigation.

The New York Times - Health

The agency does not comment on pending litigation, he said.

The New York Times

A Columbia spokeswoman would not comment on pending litigation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to remain neutral or avoid taking sides in a dispute, use "pending litigation" to explain why you can't provide details. This allows you to acknowledge the situation without risking legal repercussions or appearing biased.

Common error

While "pending litigation" is a useful phrase, avoid using it as a blanket excuse to avoid transparency or answering legitimate questions. Consider providing general context where possible without compromising legal strategy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pending litigation" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a preposition (e.g., "due to") or as a reason for declining to comment on a particular situation. It's a standard way to acknowledge the existence of an ongoing legal matter, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pending litigation" is a very common noun phrase used to acknowledge an ongoing legal case, often as a reason for declining to comment. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While it's a useful term, overuse should be avoided to maintain transparency. Related phrases include "ongoing legal proceedings" and "active lawsuit". When writing, it's best practice to use it to explain your silence while avoiding potential legal repercussions or appearing biased.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter in litigation

Formal way to refer to something currently being litigated.

ongoing legal proceedings

Focuses on the process aspect of the legal matter.

active lawsuit

Directly refers to a lawsuit that is currently in progress.

unresolved legal dispute

Highlights the unresolved nature of the legal situation.

unsettled legal matter

Highlights the unresolved nature from a legal standpoint.

existing legal action

Emphasizes the current existence of a legal case.

current court case

Refers to a specific case that is presently in court.

case under review

Indicates that a case is being examined by the courts.

outstanding claim

Highlights a claim that has not yet been settled legally.

trial in progress

Specifies that the legal matter has reached the trial stage.

FAQs

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

You can use "pending litigation" to indicate that a matter is currently being handled in court. For example, "The company declined to comment on the matter, citing "pending litigation"".

What are some alternatives to "pending litigation"?

Alternatives include "ongoing legal proceedings", "active lawsuit", or "unresolved legal dispute". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to comment on matters involving "pending litigation"?

Generally, it's best to avoid making specific comments on "pending litigation" to prevent potential legal issues or influencing the outcome of the case. It's common practice to decline comment, citing the ongoing legal process.

What does "pending litigation" mean in legal terms?

"Pending litigation" refers to a legal case that has been filed with a court but has not yet been resolved. It signifies that the legal process is underway but not yet concluded, requiring careful handling of information and communication.