pending on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pending on" is not correct or usable in written English.
It should be "depending on" instead. For example, "I will decide whether or not to join the club depending on who the other members are".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A court case, one of many over gambling, is pending on the question.

The New York Times

Investigations are pending on two other deaths.

The New York Times

Conflicts are pending on several fronts.

The New York Times

Detectives were questioning him and charges were pending on Monday.

The New York Times

There are multiple patents pending on both of Peter's inventions.

The Guardian

There are crucial votes pending on this issue".

The New York Times

A bond hearing is pending on Friday, authorities said.

The Guardian

There are currently over 12,000 Indian applications pending on Pakistan's side and more than 8,000 applications from Pakistan pending on the Indian side.

The New York Times

A request to speak with the production's doctor was pending on Friday night with Mr. Miramontez.

The New York Times

It currently has more than 200 patents, confirmed or pending, on electric vehicle and battery technology.

The New York Times

Charges were pending on Tuesday night, and the identities of the men were not released.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "depending on" instead of "pending on" to ensure grammatical correctness. This maintains clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "pending on" for "depending on". "Pending" means 'awaiting decision or settlement', while "depending" indicates 'contingent on'. Using the correct term ensures your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pending on" functions as a prepositional phrase that attempts to express conditionality or dependence. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Based on Ludwig, the correct term to use is depending on.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pending on" appears frequently across various sources, it's crucial to recognize that it's grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct alternative is "depending on". Usage patterns indicate that "pending on" often surfaces in news and scientific contexts, aiming to convey conditionality. To ensure clarity and correctness in writing, replace "pending on" with grammatically sound alternatives such as "depending on", "contingent upon", or "conditional on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depending on

Replaces "pending" with "depending", providing correct grammatical structure and meaning a state of contingency.

dependent on

Directly states the dependency on a particular condition or factor.

contingent upon

Replaces the entire phrase with a formal equivalent, maintaining a sense of conditionality.

conditional on

A more direct replacement emphasizing the conditional nature of the situation.

subject to

Implies that an action or decision is not final and may change based on specific conditions.

based on

Indicates that something is decided or influenced by another factor.

predicated on

A more formal term suggesting that something is founded or based on something else.

reliant on

Highlights the reliance on external factors for a particular outcome.

hinging on

Suggests that the outcome is critically dependent on a single factor.

controlled by

Suggests that an external factor dictates the final outcome.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase a condition: "pending on" or "depending on"?

The correct phrase is "depending on". "Pending" means awaiting a decision, while "depending" indicates conditionality.

When should I use "depending on"?

Use "depending on" when the outcome or action is conditional on another factor. For example, "We will proceed depending on the weather".

What does "pending" actually mean?

"Pending" means awaiting a decision or settlement. It is often used in legal or official contexts, such as "The court case is pending".

Are there formal alternatives to "depending on"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "contingent upon" or "conditional on", which are suitable for academic or professional writing.