When something is described as pending, it signifies an interim state where a decision, action, or resolution is yet to be finalized. It suggests that a process has been initiated but is awaiting further development or completion before a definitive outcome can be reached. This term often implies a temporary hold or delay, indicating that while progress may be underway, the matter remains unresolved. Therefore, a pending status denotes an active but uncompleted situation, poised for future determination.
§ How to Use 'Pending' in Sentences
The word 'pending' is an adjective that describes a state of incompleteness or anticipation. It's often used to indicate that something is awaiting a decision, action, or resolution. Understanding its grammatical flexibility and common prepositions is key to using it correctly.
§ 'Pending' as a Predicative Adjective
When 'pending' is used as a predicative adjective, it typically follows a form of the verb 'to be' (is, are, was, were) or another linking verb. In this usage, it directly describes the subject of the sentence, indicating that the subject is in a state of awaiting resolution.
The decision on his promotion is pending.
Her application for the grant remains pending.
§ 'Pending' as an Attributive Adjective
As an attributive adjective, 'pending' usually comes before the noun it modifies. In this position, it directly qualifies the noun, indicating that the noun is currently in a state of being awaited or unresolved.
The company announced several pending changes to its policy.
We have a list of pending tasks for the week.
§ 'Pending' with Prepositions: Common Combinations
While 'pending' itself is an adjective, it often appears in phrases with prepositions to clarify the context of what is awaiting resolution. Here are some common combinations:
- Pending + noun/pronoun: This is a very common structure where 'pending' acts more like a preposition itself, meaning 'until' or 'while awaiting'. This usage is particularly prevalent in legal or formal contexts.
The trial was postponed pending further investigation.
He cannot leave the country pending the outcome of the appeal.
- Pending + of: Although less common than simply 'pending + noun', you might occasionally see 'pending of' in older or very formal writing, though it's generally considered less idiomatic in modern English.
The release of funds is pending approval.
(Note: In this case, 'pending' directly modifies 'approval', making 'of' unnecessary. The first example without 'of' is more natural.)
§ Common Phrases and Usage Patterns
- DEFINITION
- Application Pending: Your application has been submitted and is currently being reviewed, but a decision has not yet been made.
After submitting all documents, his visa status was listed as application pending.
- DEFINITION
- Decision Pending: A determination or outcome is awaited for a particular matter.
The future of the project is uncertain, with the final decision pending.
- DEFINITION
- Order Pending: An order has been placed but has not yet been processed, shipped, or fulfilled.
My new laptop is on order pending delivery from the warehouse.
- DEFINITION
- Case Pending: A legal case or matter is in progress but has not yet reached a final judgment or settlement.
The judge ruled that all evidence would be reviewed with the case pending.
§ Grammatical Summary
To summarize, 'pending' can function as both a predicative and attributive adjective, and in some contexts, it can even act as a preposition. Its versatility makes it a valuable word for expressing states of incompleteness or anticipation in various situations.
- As a Predicative Adjective: Describes the subject after a linking verb.
- As an Attributive Adjective: Directly modifies a noun, usually preceding it.
- As a Preposition-like word: Often followed directly by a noun, meaning 'until' or 'while awaiting'.
Patrones gramaticales
Patrones de oraciones
The application is still pending.
The application is still pending, so we don't have a decision yet.
A pending decision/investigation/case.
There is a pending investigation into the company's financial practices.
While awaiting a pending [noun], ...
While awaiting a pending approval, the project team continued with preliminary work.
[Something] remains pending.
The outcome of the negotiations remains pending.
With a pending [noun], ...
With a pending court date, she felt anxious about the future.
Subject to a pending [noun], ...
The sale of the property is subject to a pending inspection.
There are several pending issues to address.
There are several pending issues to address before we can finalize the agreement.
Due to a pending [noun], ...
Due to a pending review, the report has not yet been released.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine you're PENDING a delivery. You're waiting for it to arrive, it's not here yet, but it's on its way.
Asociación visual
Picture a 'Pending' sign hanging on a door that's slightly ajar, symbolizing something that's not fully open or closed yet, waiting for a final decision.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use 'pending' in three different sentences related to your daily life. For example, 'I have a pending task at work,' or 'The results of my test are still pending.'
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasPending implies something is awaiting a decision or completion, like a pending application. Ongoing means something is currently happening or in progress, such as an ongoing project.
No, 'pending' is primarily used as an adjective or a preposition. For example, 'The decision is pending.' or 'Pending further notice, the event is postponed.'
Not necessarily. While it often refers to something unresolved, it can be neutral. For instance, a 'pending delivery' simply means it hasn't arrived yet, not that something bad has happened.
Some synonyms for 'pending' include awaiting, undecided, unresolved, forthcoming, and imminent.
In legal contexts, you might say: 'The case is pending in court,' or 'There are several pending lawsuits against the company.'
Generally, no. 'Pending' describes a status or a situation, not a person directly. You wouldn't say 'a pending person.' You might say 'a pending applicant' to describe someone whose application is still being processed.
Pending approval means that something is waiting for someone or a group to give their official permission or agreement before it can proceed.
'Pending' is a relatively formal word and is commonly used in professional, legal, and administrative contexts.
While you might hear 'pending on' in some casual speech, the more grammatically correct and common usage is simply 'pending' followed by the noun, or 'depending on.' For example, 'The decision is pending the results,' or 'The outcome depends on the results.'
As a preposition, 'pending' means 'until' or 'while awaiting.' For example: 'Pending his return, the meeting is postponed.' This means the meeting is postponed until he returns.
Ponte a prueba 30 preguntas
What is the status of the delivery?
What is being waited for?
What kind of order is it?
Read this aloud:
The game is pending.
Focus: pending
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
Is the decision still pending?
Focus: decision, pending
Dijiste:
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Read this aloud:
I have a pending email.
Focus: pending, email
Dijiste:
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The decision about the new project is still ___.
'Pending' means waiting to be decided or completed. In this context, the project decision is not yet finalized.
My visa application has been ___ for two weeks now.
If an application is 'pending', it means it is awaiting a decision. Two weeks suggests it's still being reviewed.
We cannot proceed with the purchase; there's a ___ issue with the contract.
A 'pending issue' is one that needs to be settled before moving forward. This fits the context of not being able to proceed.
The results of the exam are currently ___, so we need to wait.
If you need to wait for exam results, it means they are 'pending' or not yet released.
The delivery of your order is still ___. Please check back tomorrow.
If a delivery is 'pending', it means it hasn't arrived yet and is still in process.
There are some ___ questions from the meeting that need to be addressed.
'Pending questions' are questions that were not answered or resolved during the meeting and still require attention.
The decision about our vacation plans is still ______.
Pending means waiting to be decided or settled. The vacation plans are still awaiting a final decision.
The company announced that the new project is currently ______ approval.
'Under pending approval' is a common phrase meaning waiting for approval. 'Under' indicates a state of being subject to something.
Which of these situations describes something that is 'pending'?
A job application you are waiting to hear back about is in a state of 'pending' because the final decision has not yet been made.
If your order status is 'pending', it means your items have already been shipped.
If an order is 'pending', it means it is still being processed and has not yet been shipped or completed.
A pending task is a task that has been finished.
A pending task is a task that has not yet been completed, but is waiting to be done.
When a court case is pending, it means the trial is over and a decision has been made.
If a court case is pending, it means it is still in progress and a decision has not yet been reached.
Which of the following situations best describes something that is 'pending'?
Something 'pending' is awaiting a decision or completion. A project proposal under review fits this description as its final status is not yet reached.
If a legal case is described as 'pending', what does that typically mean?
A 'pending' legal case implies it's ongoing and its outcome is yet to be determined.
Which sentence uses 'pending' correctly?
'Pending' correctly describes a situation where an action (promotion) is waiting for a decision (board approval). The other options imply completion or past events.
If a package delivery is 'pending', it means the package has already arrived at its destination.
If a package delivery is 'pending', it means it is still in transit or awaiting a final action, not that it has already arrived.
A 'pending' transaction in a bank statement indicates that the money has been successfully transferred and settled.
A 'pending' transaction means the transaction is still processing and has not yet been fully settled or completed.
When a task is 'pending', it means it has been started but not yet finished.
The definition of 'pending' states that it refers to a status where an action has started but the final result is not yet reached, which aligns with a task that has been started but not yet finished.
The final decision on the merger is still ___ a thorough review by the regulatory board.
The word 'pending' accurately conveys that the decision is waiting to be made after the review.
Due to several unforeseen complications, the project's completion remains ___.
'Pending' indicates that the project is not yet finished and is awaiting completion.
The application for the new patent is currently ___ approval from the intellectual property office.
Here, 'pending' signifies that the application is waiting for the approval process to conclude.
With the legal proceedings still ___, no public statements can be made at this time.
'Pending' correctly describes the ongoing status of the legal proceedings, meaning they are not yet settled.
Her promotion is ___ a final interview with the CEO next week.
In this context, 'pending' means that the promotion is awaiting the outcome of the interview.
All changes to the company policy are ___ the board's ratification at their next meeting.
'Pending' indicates that the changes are awaiting the official approval or ratification by the board.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Ejemplo
The approval for the new building is still pending.
Contenido relacionado
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de Time
moment
A1Un periodo de tiempo muy breve. Se usa para pedirle a alguien que espere un poco o para referirse a un instante específico.
night
A1La noche es el período de tiempo entre la puesta y la salida del sol cuando el cielo está oscuro. Es el momento en que la mayoría de las personas descansan, duermen y la luna es a menudo visible.
aeons
C1An indefinitely long period of time; an age. Often used in the plural to exaggerate how long something takes or how much time has passed.
end
A1La parte final o conclusión de algo, como un periodo de tiempo o una actividad. Es el punto donde algo se detiene.
finally
C1Se usa para indicar que algo sucede después de mucho tiempo o para presentar el punto final de una lista.
decade
B2A period of ten years, typically used to measure time or categorize a specific historical era. It is a common unit of time used to track social, economic, or personal changes over a significant duration.
happen
A1Tener lugar u ocurrir, a menudo sin planificación o por casualidad. Describe un evento o situación que surge en un momento particular.
period
B2A length or portion of time that is defined by specific events, characteristics, or conditions. It can also refer to one of the divisions of a school day or a punctuation mark used at the end of a sentence.
forthcoming
B2Algo que va a ocurrir pronto, o una persona que está dispuesta a ayudar y dar información.
ongoing
B2Describes a process, situation, or activity that is currently in progress and has not yet reached a conclusion. It implies that something started in the past and is continuing into the present and likely the future.
