were still pending

USAGE SUMMARY

"were still pending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something is still awaiting a decision or resolution. For example, "The details of the project were still pending when the deadline arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The other seven were still pending.

The New Yorker

Another 440,000 applications were still pending.

The New York Times

Drug test results, he said, were still pending.

The New York Times

Mr. Schneiderman said that investigations were still pending against dozens of other stations.

The New York Times

Most people predicted that the Health Department would eventually grant approval, but lawsuits were still pending.

The New Yorker

Thousands of other cases brought by his association were still pending.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

(It is still pending).

The New York Times

(The bill, is still pending).

The Economist

Their cases are still pending.

The New York Times

The answer is still pending.

The Economist

(The suit is still pending).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were still pending" when you want to indicate that something is in a state of awaiting a decision, resolution, or completion. This often applies to applications, charges, results, or investigations.

Common error

Avoid using "was still pending" when referring to multiple items. "Was" is singular; use "were" when referring to plural subjects. For example, it's "the results were still pending", not "the results was still pending".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were still pending" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a form of the verb "to be" combined with an adverb ("still") and the adjective "pending". It indicates a state of incompleteness or unresolved status. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were still pending" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase that indicates an unfinished or unresolved state. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its correctness and usability are well-established. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase serves the communicative purpose of informing audiences about matters awaiting finalization or resolution. While appropriate for neutral registers, it's essential to maintain subject-verb agreement by using "were" with plural subjects. Alternatives like "remained unresolved" or "were yet to be decided" can offer nuanced variations based on the intended context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were yet to be decided

Replaces 'pending' with 'yet to be decided', highlighting the indecision aspect.

had not been resolved

Similar to 'remained unresolved', focusing on the lack of resolution.

were not yet finalized

Emphasizes the lack of finality or completion.

remained unresolved

Replaces 'pending' with 'unresolved', emphasizing the lack of a solution.

were outstanding

Replaces 'pending' with 'outstanding', stressing that items have not been completed or dealt with.

were awaiting action

Focuses on the need for action or decision to be taken.

were under consideration

Highlights that the matter is being actively thought about.

were in progress

Suggests the matter is ongoing but not yet concluded.

were on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension of progress.

were in the pipeline

Implies that the matter is scheduled but not yet executed.

FAQs

How can I use "were still pending" in a sentence?

You can use "were still pending" to indicate that certain actions, decisions, or results have not yet been finalized. For example, "The charges "were still pending" at the time of the report" or "The results of the tests "were still pending"".

What are some alternatives to "were still pending"?

Alternatives include "remained unresolved", "were yet to be decided", or "were awaiting action", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "was still pending" instead of "were still pending"?

No, it is not always correct. "Was still pending" should be used with singular subjects, while "were still pending" should be used with plural subjects. For instance, "The application was still pending", but "The applications "were still pending"".

What does it mean when something is described as "were still pending"?

It means that the matter, whether it's a decision, a process, or a result, has not yet been completed or resolved. It's in a state of being processed or waiting for further action.