Meaning & use
contingency
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Meanings
nouncountable
A possible future event that may or may not happen, especially one that needs to be planned for.
Grammar: Countable; often used in the phrase 'a contingency' or in the plural 'contingencies'.
Patterns
- a contingency for something
- plan for contingencies
- allow for contingencies
The team discussed various contingencies in case the weather turned bad.
We need a contingency for staff illness during the busy season.
The budget includes a small amount for contingencies.
nouncountable
A plan or arrangement made in advance for a possible future event.
Grammar: Often used in the fixed phrase 'contingency plan'.
Patterns
- a contingency plan
- have a contingency plan
- make contingency plans
Every good business has a contingency plan for emergencies.
The school made contingency plans in case the heating failed.
We need a contingency plan if the flight is cancelled.
Word forms
| plural | contingencies |
|---|
Common combinations
- contingency plan
- The company activated its contingency plan when the power went out.
- contingency fund
- They set up a contingency fund for unexpected repairs.
- contingency fee
- The lawyer worked on a contingency fee, paid only if they won.
- as a contingency
- We saved some money as a contingency for next year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eventuality
- More formal and less common; it refers to any possible outcome, not necessarily one you plan for.
- possibility
- Broader and more general; a contingency is a specific possible event that you prepare for.
- backup
- Informal and usually refers to a thing or person, not an event; 'contingency plan' is more formal.
Word family
- contingent adjective
- Depending on something else; also a noun meaning a group of people.
- contingently adverb
- In a way that depends on something else happening.
Commonly confused: contingency or contingent?
contingency vs contingent
As a noun, 'contingent' means a group of people (e.g., a military contingent), not a possible event.
Practice
The hospital has a ______ plan in case of a major accident.
Choose one answer.
'Contingency plan' is the fixed phrase for a backup plan. 'Contingent' is an adjective or a noun for a group, 'continuity' means staying the same, and 'contingently' is an adverb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contingency”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.