which are pending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which are pending' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to refer to items or tasks which have not yet been completed or are in a deferred state. For example: "There are still several assignments which are pending, so please make sure they are finished by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Ms. Wilkins disputes the charges, which are pending, and has filed a complaint against the police.

The New York Times

Corcoran denies the charges, which are pending before the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The New York Times

Both leaders face several corruption charges, which are pending in the courts.

The New York Times

The settlement does not address legal fees or damage claims, which are pending.

The New York Times

KPMG declined yesterday to identify which of those suits had been settled or which are pending.

The New York Times

The renovation prompted several businesses to file loss-reimbursement claims with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which are pending.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They moved to dismiss the suit, which is pending).

The New Yorker

He would not discuss the third case, which is pending.

The New York Times

After their lawsuit was dismissed, the group filed an appeal, which is pending.

The New York Times

The banks have also initiated an Article 78 proceeding, which is pending.

The New York Times

The bill, which is pending in the House, has 13 co-sponsors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which are pending" to clearly indicate that items, tasks, or decisions are not yet finalized or resolved. This phrasing is suitable for formal writing and reports.

Common error

Ensure that the "which" clause has a clear antecedent. Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what the pending items or tasks are. For example, instead of "several issues are pending", specify "several issues, which are pending, require immediate attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which are pending" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to specify that certain items, tasks, or decisions are not yet resolved or finalized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which are pending" functions as a relative clause used to provide additional information about items that are not yet resolved or finalized. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news, media, and scientific contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in tone but leans towards formal usage. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing a clear antecedent. While "which are pending" is a common phrase, alternatives such as "that are awaiting resolution" or "that remain unresolved" can add nuance. Understanding these contexts and nuances will help ensure effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that are awaiting resolution

Replaces "pending" with "awaiting resolution", emphasizing the expectation of a future decision.

that remain unresolved

Focuses on the lack of a final decision or outcome.

that are still under consideration

Highlights the ongoing process of evaluating or deliberating something.

that are not yet decided

Emphasizes the lack of a final decision.

that are outstanding

Indicates that something is still needing to be done or resolved.

that are in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of the matter, though not necessarily implying a future decision.

that are being processed

Focuses on the act of processing, implying a formal or administrative procedure.

that are in the pipeline

Suggests that something is in the queue to be addressed.

that are on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension of progress or decision-making.

that are in abeyance

A more formal way of saying something is temporarily suspended or postponed.

FAQs

How can I use "which are pending" in a sentence?

You can use "which are pending" to refer to items or issues that are currently unresolved or awaiting a decision. For example, "The charges, "which are pending", could have serious repercussions".

What are some alternatives to "which are pending"?

Some alternatives include "that are awaiting resolution", "that remain unresolved", or "that are still under consideration". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "which are pending" or "that are pending"?

While both are grammatically correct, "which are pending" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "that are pending". The choice depends on the overall tone and style of your writing.

What's the difference between saying something is "pending" and saying it's "outstanding"?

"Pending" typically refers to something awaiting a decision or resolution, while "outstanding" usually means something is still needing to be done or completed. Although sometimes similar, "pending" emphasizes the aspect of a future outcome, while "outstanding" stresses the lack of completion. For instance, "claims, "which are pending"" focus on the decision regarding the claims, while "tasks that are outstanding" emphasizes the tasks that are not done yet.