pending

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Waiting to be decided or settled; not yet resolved.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb like 'be' or 'remain', or before a noun: The case is pending. / a pending case.

   Patterns

   • be pending
   • remain pending
   • pending case
   • pending decision

   The application is still pending.

   There are several pending lawsuits against the company.

   The decision remains pending until next week.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   About to happen soon; imminent.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun: a pending disaster.

   Patterns

   • pending arrival
   • pending departure
   • pending change

   The pending storm forced everyone to stay indoors.

   She was anxious about the pending exam results.

   The company announced a pending merger.

3. 3prepositionformal

   Until something happens or is completed.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun or noun phrase: pending further investigation.

   Patterns

   • pending something
   • pending further notice

   The project is on hold pending approval from the board.

   He was released from prison pending trial.

   The event has been postponed pending better weather.

Common combinations

pending investigation

The officer is suspended pending investigation.

pending approval

The sale is pending approval by the committee.

still pending

The results are still pending.

pending further notice

The office will be closed pending further notice.

Synonyms and how they differ

unresolved

Focuses on the lack of a solution, while pending often implies waiting for a decision.

imminent

Means about to happen, similar to pending as an adjective, but doesn't mean 'awaiting decision'.

Opposites

Word family

pend verb

To hang or remain undecided, but rarely used in modern English.

Commonly confused: pending or pension? pending or pending vs. impending?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pending”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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