was contingent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was contingent on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something depends on or is determined by another factor or condition. Example: "The success of the project was contingent on securing adequate funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our membership was contingent on good behavior.

The New Yorker

But the financing was contingent on Mr. Damon's directing.

The New York Times

The guarantee was contingent on winning a license.

The New York Times

But the offer was contingent on the memorial's removal.

The New York Times

But the deal was contingent on feedback from Google's rivals.

The New York Times - Tech

The bid was contingent on its being accepted immediately.

The New York Times

The deal was contingent on Pujols taking a physical.

The New York Times - Sports

Guidant said the merger was contingent on a favorable ruling.

The New York Times

The sale was contingent on the defendant's consenting to an assignment of the plaintiff's lease.

Harvard University

Tribune has terminated that sale because it was contingent on the merger with Sinclair.

The New York Times

That deal, valued at 28 million euros, was contingent on further approval from the Swedish government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was contingent on", ensure the condition is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The project's success was contingent on securing funding by the end of the month."

Common error

Avoid using "was contingent on" without specifying what the outcome depends on. Saying "The deal was contingent" lacks clarity; specify, for instance, "The deal was contingent on regulatory approval."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contingent on" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a condition upon which something else depends. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was contingent on" is a prepositional phrase used to express that something depends on a specific condition. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "was dependent on" or "hinged on" exist, "was contingent on" often implies a formal agreement or a clearly defined set of conditions. When using the phrase, ensure the condition is explicitly stated to maintain clarity. Be specific when something "was contingent on" something else, and the phrase is understood more clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depended on

A direct synonym, indicating reliance or necessity.

was dependent on

Emphasizes reliance or dependence on something else.

was conditional upon

Highlights the presence of a specific condition that must be met.

hinged on

Suggests that everything turned or depended on a particular point or factor.

relied upon

Implies a sense of trust or confidence in the thing being relied upon.

was determined by

Highlights that the outcome was decided or influenced by a specific factor.

was subject to

Indicates that something is susceptible to or governed by certain conditions.

was predicated on

Suggests that something was founded or based on a particular assumption or premise.

rested on

Suggests that something was supported or based on a particular foundation.

turned on

Similar to 'hinged on', emphasizing a pivotal or decisive factor.

FAQs

How can I use "was contingent on" in a sentence?

Use "was contingent on" to show that one thing depends on another. For instance, "His promotion "was contingent on" completing his master's degree."

What is a good alternative to "was contingent on"?

Alternatives include "was dependent on", "was conditional upon", or "hinged on". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was contingent on" or "depended on"?

Both "was contingent on" and "depended on" are correct. "Was contingent on" often implies a formal agreement or a specific set of conditions, while "depended on" can be more general.

What does it mean when something "was contingent on" something else?

It means that the first thing could only happen or be true if the second thing happened or was true first. It implies a relationship of dependence or conditionality.