was contingent upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was contingent upon" 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 upon securing adequate funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His payment was contingent upon receiving those invoices.

The New York Times

But that agreement was contingent upon giving MSG the right to match it.

The New York Times - Sports

The couple's sublease agreement was contingent upon approval of the co-op board.

The New York Times

But that was contingent upon customers signing a form promising not to sue the bank.

The New York Times

The swap was contingent upon the approval of Hampton and Johnson, who have no-trade provisions in their contracts.

The New York Times - Sports

G Asset's offer was contingent upon Barnes & Noble keeping current management in place and divesting its Nook e-business.

The Guardian - Tech

But even then, this was contingent upon redelivery of the audio master and a super hi-resolution image of the sleeve art.

The Guardian - Music

A lower court ruled against him last year and library officials say the selection of Little Rock was contingent upon the city paying for the land.

The New York Times

The new statement followed a report in the Wall Street Journal stating that the delivery of the cash was contingent upon the American prisoners being freed.

The Guardian

McDermott's chief executive, Bruce Wilkinson, said in a statement that approval was contingent upon a tax-neutral and favorable cost analysis.

The New York Times

The treatment program implemented there was contingent upon the idea that work itself proffers enough distraction and purpose to help rehabilitate an addict.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was contingent upon", ensure that the condition is clearly defined and understandable to the reader. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the logical flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was contingent upon" with overly broad or poorly defined conditions. For example, instead of saying "Success was contingent upon hard work", specify what specific actions or outcomes constitute 'hard work' in that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was contingent upon" functions as a connector indicating a conditional relationship. It shows that one event or state is dependent on another. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase links a result to a prerequisite.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was contingent upon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes a conditional relationship between events or conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general informational writing. When employing this phrase, clarity in specifying the condition is key to effective communication. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "was dependent on" or "was conditional on", but ensure they accurately reflect the intended nuance. By following these guidelines, you can use "was contingent upon" with confidence and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was dependent on

Emphasizes reliance; a straightforward synonym, focusing on the necessary condition.

was conditional on

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

depended on

Simple and direct expression of dependence.

hinged on

Implies that something crucial depended on a single factor.

rested on

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

was subject to

Indicates that something was liable to be affected by a specific condition.

turned on

Implies that the outcome was directly determined by a specific factor.

was predicated on

Suggests a foundational dependence, implying that something was based on a prior assumption or condition.

was reliant on

Focuses on the need for support or assistance from something else.

was determined by

Indicates a clear causal relationship, where one thing directly influenced another.

FAQs

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

Use "was contingent upon" to show that an outcome or event depended on a specific condition. For example, "The deal was contingent upon regulatory approval".

What are some alternatives to "was contingent upon"?

You can use alternatives like "was dependent on", "was conditional on", or "hinged on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was contingent on" or "was contingent upon"?

"Was contingent on" and "was contingent upon" are both grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often comes down to personal preference, although "was contingent upon" is sometimes perceived as more formal.

How does "was contingent upon" differ from "was dependent on"?

While both phrases indicate reliance, "was contingent upon" often suggests a more specific condition that must be met, whereas "was dependent on" can imply a broader reliance or general need for support.