very contingent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very contingent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is highly dependent on certain conditions or circumstances. Example: "The success of the project is very contingent on the availability of funding and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"It's a very contingent offer," Mr. Loss said.

The New York Times

That's all very contingent, and too complicated for a Sunday night.

The New Yorker

It remains very contingent, vulnerable to a preoccupation with the past and to isolated events.

The Guardian - Opinion

My guess is that it was a very contingent event: bad luck for Obama on the business cycle, compounded by his own team's mistakes, plus a weirdly ineffective defense of health reform.

The New York Times

Haykel confirmed by e-mail that the Iraq War was the kind of thing that he had in mind when he said, in the ThinkProgress interview, that ISIS is "a product of very contingent, contextual, historical factors," and that "there is nothing predetermined in Islam that would lead to ISIS".

The New Yorker

Pollen taphonomy in caves is dependent on a variety of transport pathways and seems to be very contingent on local circumstance.

Quaternary International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I will say she does represent a very real contingent in prison.

Vice

"They was a very strong contingent of visual artists around the Ramones," explains show curator Marc Miller.

The Guardian - Music

They had a very strong contingent of security people, but we managed to occupy the site for hours.

The Guardian - Opinion

This arrangement was very much contingent upon his continuing success; he said, "After I got beat" — in the governor's race in 1980 — "I was concerned about it.

The New Yorker

I was part of a (very) small contingent of fathers in a crowd that seemed largely composed of mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very contingent", clearly state what the outcome is contingent on. For example, instead of saying "The project's success is very contingent", specify "The project's success is "very contingent" on securing adequate funding".

Common error

Avoid using "very contingent" when you have substantial control over the conditions. The phrase suggests a high degree of external influence, so it's misleading if internal factors are the primary drivers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very contingent" functions as an adjective modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective 'contingent'. It describes the degree to which something is dependent on certain conditions or events. Ludwig's examples show it qualifying terms like 'offer', 'event', and 'outcome'.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very contingent" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize that something is highly dependent on specific conditions or circumstances. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While less common than simpler alternatives, it provides a strong way to stress the uncertainty of an outcome. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly state the conditions upon which the outcome depends, thus avoiding ambiguity. Though grammatically sound, remember that this phrase signals a degree of uncertainty, and is suitable in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly conditional

Emphasizes the dependence on specific conditions being met.

contingent upon events

Stresses the role of occurrences in determining what happens.

conditional on prerequisites

Emphasizes that certain prerequisites must be fulfilled.

subject to certain factors

Highlights the influence of external elements on the outcome.

dependent on circumstances

Focuses on how the surrounding situation affects the result.

dependent on external variables

Focuses on how outside variables affect the result.

reliant on conditions

Indicates a strong reliance on specific conditions being satisfied.

hinges on specific criteria

Implies that the outcome is critical based on the set criteria.

very circumstantial

Highlights that the outcome is strongly influenced by immediate events or circumstances.

uncertain without guarantees

Highlights the lack of certainty and absence of assurances.

FAQs

How can I use "very contingent" in a sentence?

You can use "very contingent" to express that something is highly dependent on certain conditions or circumstances. For example, "The deal is "very contingent" on the results of the audit".

What are some alternatives to "very contingent"?

Alternatives to "very contingent" include "highly conditional", "dependent on circumstances", and "subject to certain factors".

Is it better to say "contingent" or "very contingent"?

While "contingent" alone implies dependence on conditions, adding "very" intensifies this meaning. Use "very contingent" when emphasizing a high degree of dependence is crucial.

What is the difference between "contingent" and "conditional"?

"Contingent" often implies a dependence on events or circumstances that are external or less predictable, whereas "conditional" ("conditional") can refer to requirements that are explicitly stated or agreed upon.