pending that

USAGE SUMMARY

"pending that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to mean "under the condition that," or "as long as". For example: "He promised to stay with her pending that she never lied to him again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have no further comments pending that investigation.

The New York Times

Nevada and Maine have bills pending that would do so.

The New York Times

Now new legislation is pending that would make home schooling even harder.

The Economist

Yesterday, Judge Michael B. Mukasey ordered Mr. Attas held as a material witness pending that trial.

The New York Times

There are two bills pending that would permit the program to operate statewide.

The New York Times

Hosey's lawyer, Kenneth Schmetterer, immediately announced an appeal and the fines were stayed pending that appeal.

The Guardian

In the last year, 13 states have had bills pending that would have halted executions.

The New York Times

Legislation is pending that would spell out DHS's authority in the cyber sphere.

The Washington Post

Representative Rush D. Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, has a bill pending that would in effect ban Internet voting.

The New York Times

Our laboratories have synthesized and have initiated testing of novel phenoxyalkyl pyridinium oximes (patent pending) that are more lipophilic than currently approved oximes.

Chemico-Biological Interactions

Last month, with other legislation pending that would reorganize the agency, he reiterated his concerns to a House subcommittee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pending that" to clearly indicate a state of suspension or anticipation until a certain condition or event is fulfilled. Ensure that the condition is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "pending that" without clearly defining the condition or event that needs to occur. For example, instead of saying "Action will be taken pending that", specify the action being waited for, such as "Action will be taken pending that the investigation concludes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pending that" functions as a causal connector, indicating a state of suspension or anticipation until a condition is met. This is reflected in the Ludwig examples, where it often introduces a clause that specifies the condition upon which something else depends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pending that" is a versatile phrase used to express conditionality or contingency, indicating that something is dependent on a particular event or condition being met. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, appearing most often in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "pending that", ensure the condition it refers to is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "provided that" or "subject to" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provided that

A more common and concise way to express a condition.

subject to that

Indicates that something is dependent on a specific condition being met.

contingent on that

Similar to "subject to", emphasizing the dependency on a future event or condition.

given that

Indicates something is assumed as a precondition.

conditional upon that

Replaces "pending" with a more formal and explicit term for conditionality.

on the understanding that

Highlights an agreement or condition that must be met.

depending on whether

Highlights the uncertainty and reliance on a particular circumstance.

conditional on whether

Expresses the uncertainty of a precondition

in anticipation of that

Shifts the focus to proactive preparation based on an expected event.

if and only if that

Emphasizes a strict bi-conditional relationship.

FAQs

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

Use "pending that" to indicate something is waiting to happen or be resolved until a particular condition is met. For example, "The contract is on hold "pending that" all parties agree to the terms."

What are some alternatives to using "pending that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "provided that", "subject to", or "conditional upon", which offer similar meanings depending on the specific context.

Is "pending that" formal or informal?

"Pending that" is generally considered suitable for formal writing, but its formality level is neutral and can also be used in less formal contexts. Consider the specific audience and purpose when choosing this phrase.

What's the difference between "pending that" and "depending on whether"?

"Pending that" implies a state of waiting for something specific to happen before further action, while "depending on whether" suggests a decision or outcome is contingent on a particular circumstance or condition.