The word "contingent" in English

 The word "contingent" in English can be used as both an adjective and a noun. Here's a breakdown of its uses:

1. As an Adjective:

• Meaning: Dependent on certain circumstances or conditions; conditional. It implies that something will happen or is true only if something else happens.

• Structure:

  • contingent on/upon + noun/gerund/clause
  • contingent + (that) + clause

• Examples:

  • Contingent on/upon:

    • "Our travel plans are contingent on getting our visas approved." (The plans depend on visa approval.)
    • "The offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check." (The offer depends on the background check.)
    • "The funding for the project is contingent on the government's final decision." (The funding depends on the government's decision.)
    • "His release from prison is contingent upon good behavior." (His release depends on his behavior.)

  • Contingent (that):

    • "It is contingent that we receive the necessary permits." (It depends on us receiving the permits.) - This structure is less common than "contingent on/upon."

• Synonyms: conditional, dependent, subject to, relying on, provisional, circumstantial.

2. As a Noun:

• Meaning 1: A group of people representing an organization or country.

• Structure:

  • a contingent of + noun (people)

• Examples:

  • "A large contingent of American athletes attended the Olympic Games." (A large group of American athletes.)
  • "The company sent a contingent of engineers to the conference." (A group of engineers from the company.)
  • "A military contingent was dispatched to the area." (A group of military personnel.)

• Meaning 2: A share or quota, especially of troops or supplies. (This usage is less common in everyday language.)

• Structure:

  • a contingent of + noun (supplies/troops)

• Examples:

  • "Each member state provided a contingent of soldiers to the peacekeeping force."
  • "The aid package included a contingent of medical supplies."

Key Points to Remember:

• When used as an adjective, "contingent" almost always takes the prepositions on or upon.
• As a noun, it usually refers to a group of people representing something.
• The noun form can also refer to a share or quota, but this is less frequent.

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

The context of the sentence will usually make it clear whether "contingent" is being used as an adjective or a noun. If it describes a condition or dependence, it's an adjective. If it refers to a group of people, it's a noun.

In summary:

• Adjective: Describes something that is dependent on certain conditions (e.g., "The sale is contingent on financing.")
• Noun: Refers to a group of people representing something (e.g., "The French contingent arrived yesterday.")

Understanding these two main uses and their associated structures will help you use "contingent" correctly in English.