subject to contract

USAGE SUMMARY

"Subject to contract" is a commonly used phrase in written English, typically used in legal or business contexts.
It is used to indicate that a proposed agreement or arrangement is not yet legally binding and is subject to further negotiation and agreement. Example sentence: "We have agreed in principle to the terms of the contract, but it is still subject to contract and final approval from our legal team." This means that while both parties have reached a general understanding, the agreement is not yet finalized and subject to further review and negotiation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

At my request the property has been marked up as sold subject to contract and all viewings and negotiations are supposedly cancelled.

The Guardian - Money

But school administrators say that pension benefits are governed by state law and health care benefits are subject to contract negotiations.

The New York Times

A 5 per cent booking deposit subject to contract and title is paid to the estate agent and 5percentntothethe solicitor.

The Guardian - Money

Hamish Allen, area sales manager for Winkworth, told The Independent a number of offers had been received for the property and it had now been sold subject to contract.

Independent

However, it is expected that the sale price could be $700m-plus, which would consist of a one-off payment and an agreed return to Treasury subject to contract which would run for 35 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

The chancellor acknowledged that a new set of standards could lead to a new system for evaluating teachers, but that such changes would be subject to contract negotiations with the teachers' union.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We do not, however, know whether male survivors of conception cohorts subjected to contracting economies exhibit, as theory predicts, higher hCG than those from other cohorts.

Evolutionary Applications

We do not, however, know whether male survivors of gestational cohorts subjected to contracting economies exhibit higher hCG than those from other cohorts as we would expect if selection in utero terminated more low than high hCG gestations.

Evolutionary Applications

The ESRC/DfID grant has been recommended for award on scientific grounds, but is still subject to final contract negotiations.

The Guardian

The Kennedys, the Eisenhowers, Truman Capote, Somerset Maugham and "nearly every prominent royal or heiress in Europe"; they all came to dinner chez Jim when they graced Bangkok.Perhaps Thompson was subject to a contract killing by business rivals in Bangkok.

The Economist

STC (Subject to the contract).

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject to contract", clearly state the specific conditions or contingencies that must be met for the agreement to become binding. This avoids ambiguity and potential disputes later on.

Common error

Do not treat an agreement as fully enforceable simply because preliminary discussions have occurred. Always clarify that it is "subject to contract" until all terms are finalized, documented, and signed. Failing to do so can lead to legal complications if either party acts prematurely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject to contract" functions as an adjectival modifier, qualifying a statement, agreement, or offer. It indicates that the specified item is not yet legally binding or finalized, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subject to contract" is a common phrase used primarily in business and legal contexts to indicate that an agreement isn't legally binding until a formal contract is signed. Ludwig's analysis highlights that it functions as an adjectival modifier expressing contingency. This is a common phrase (present in many examples from different sources) and it's grammatically correct. To avoid misunderstandings, clearly define the conditions for finalizing the agreement and do not act as if the deal is done before all terms are documented. Related phrases include "contingent upon agreement" or "pending contract execution". Overall, using "subject to contract" effectively requires clarity and caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pending contract execution

Emphasizes that the contract needs to be formally executed before it is effective.

contingent upon agreement

Specifies that the finalization depends on a future agreement, emphasizing the conditional nature.

conditional on agreement

Highlights the condition that a complete consensus is needed.

not binding until formalized

Directly states the lack of legal obligation until the agreement is properly formalized.

subject to final documentation

Specifies that complete and final documents are required for the agreement to be binding.

dependent on formalization

Highlights the need for a formal, written document to complete the agreement.

provisional upon signing

Indicates that the agreement is only temporary until a signature finalizes it.

terms yet to be finalized

Focuses on the incomplete nature of the terms, indicating ongoing adjustments.

agreement in principle only

Clarifies that only the main points are agreed, and details remain to be worked out.

offer under negotiation

Highlights that the terms are still under discussion and may change.

FAQs

How is "subject to contract" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "subject to contract" is used to qualify an agreement or offer, indicating that it is not legally binding until a formal contract is drawn up and signed. For example, "The sale is "subject to contract" and final approval from our legal team".

What does it mean when something is "subject to contract"?

When an agreement or offer is described as "subject to contract", it means that it is not yet legally binding. Both parties have reached a preliminary understanding, but the agreement will only become legally enforceable once a formal written contract is created and signed by all parties involved.

What are some alternatives to saying "subject to contract"?

Alternatives to "subject to contract" include phrases like "contingent upon agreement", "pending contract execution", or "agreement in principle only". These phrases all convey that the agreement is not yet final and requires further formalization.

Is an agreement "subject to contract" legally binding?

No, an agreement that is "subject to contract" is not legally binding. It represents a preliminary understanding or intention to enter into a contract, but it does not create any legal obligations until a formal contract is signed. Parties can withdraw without penalty until the contract is finalized.