was pending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was pending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was awaiting a decision, resolution, or completion at a specific point in the past. Example: "The application was pending approval for several weeks before it was finally reviewed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another application was pending.

The New York Times

Further review was pending.

The New Yorker

The sale was pending as of Monday.

The New York Times

A trial was pending at his death.

The New York Times - Sports

The suit was pending when he died.

The New York Times

An appeal was pending when he died.

The New York Times

The ruling on Ms. Snelling's death was pending.

The New York Times

Those could not be offered while the appeal was pending.

The New York Times

The presidency appealed the ruling, and a hearing was pending.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prosecutors declined to comment while the case was pending.

The New York Times

She said disciplinary action was pending in that case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was pending" to clearly indicate that a decision, action, or event was expected but had not yet occurred at a specific time in the past. This phrase is especially useful in formal contexts, such as legal documents, news reports, or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "pending" when you mean "impending". "Pending" means awaiting resolution, while "impending" means about to happen. For example, say "The decision was pending" (awaiting a decision), not "The decision was impending" (about to happen).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was pending" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something was in a state of awaiting resolution or decision at a specific time in the past. It connects a subject to a state of expectation, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was pending" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something was awaiting resolution or a decision at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. With numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, it's clear that "was pending" is frequently used in news, academic writing, and scientific contexts. Remember to use it when you want to convey that a situation, application, or decision was in a state of limbo, awaiting a future resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was awaiting

Replaces "pending" with a direct synonym, emphasizing anticipation.

was under consideration

Highlights the process of evaluation before a decision.

was on hold

Indicates a temporary pause in progress.

remained unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution rather than the active waiting.

was yet to be decided

Emphasizes the future aspect of the decision.

was in the pipeline

Implies a structured process with a future outcome.

was being processed

Focuses on the active handling of something.

was in abeyance

Suggests a temporary suspension or inactivity.

was up in the air

Highlights the uncertainty of the outcome.

was subject to

Emphasizes conditionality and potential change.

FAQs

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

You can use "was pending" to indicate that something was awaiting a conclusion or decision at a particular point in the past. For example: "The application "was pending" approval last month".

What does "was pending" mean?

"Was pending" means something was awaiting a decision, settlement, or completion. It indicates a state of suspension or incompleteness until a future action resolves it.

What are some alternatives to "was pending"?

Alternatives include "was awaiting", "was under consideration", or "remained unresolved", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is pending" instead of "was pending"?

The choice between "is pending" and "was pending" depends on the timeframe you are referring to. Use "is pending" for something currently awaiting resolution and "was pending" for something that was awaiting resolution in the past.