pending
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.waiting for a final decision or result.
adj.awaiting a conclusion, confirmation, or settlement; often used in legal or administrative contexts.
Simple“The bank transfer is still pending, so the money hasn't arrived yet.”
In context“The merger remains pending while the regulatory body investigates potential antitrust violations in the telecommunications sector.”
UsageUsually follows the noun it describes or sits after a linking verb like 'be'.
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.likely to happen very soon.
adj.imminent or impending; about to occur.
Simple“The dark clouds were a sign of a pending storm.”
In context“The atmosphere in the capital was tense with the sense of pending change as the election results began to trickle in.”
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'impending' is more common for this sense, especially for negative events like storms or disasters.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
prep.while waiting for something to happen.
prep.until the occurrence of a specific event; during the intervening period before something happens.
Simple“He was released from prison pending his trial next month.”
In context“The judge granted a stay of execution pending the outcome of the defendant's final appeal to the High Court.”
UsageAlways followed by a noun phrase.