pending
pending — adjective
1. not finished, approved, or announced yet, though a result or event is expected s
not finished, approved, or announced yet, though a result or event is expected soon.
The court left the fraud case pending until the missing witness returned.
pattern: leave something pending
Maria's visa application is still pending at the Taipei service center.
common pattern: be still pending
A pending court decision kept the family from selling the house.
Three safety checks remain pending before the new bridge can open.
Two pending payments delayed the shop's order for the new machine.
- unresolved
best for problems or disputes that still have no answer
- outstanding
often used for work, payments, or debts still not finished
- imminent
only means likely very soon; it does not suggest review or delay
文法句型
be pending
pending + noun
用法筆記
Often used for applications, cases, payments, or decisions that have not reached a final result. Distinguish from preposition sense 1: 'the case is pending' uses the adjective, while 'pending the decision' means 'until the decision comes'.
常見錯誤
pending — preposition
1. until a result, decision, or event arrives, with other action delayed for now.
until a result, decision, or event arrives, with other action delayed for now.
The museum closed the top floor pending repairs to the ceiling.
formal pattern: pending + noun phrase
Dr. Lin kept Owen in hospital overnight pending the lab results.
The bank froze the transfer pending proof of the sender's address.
Police held the stolen scooter pending a check on its engine number.
The residents cancelled Saturday's street party pending the mayor's reply.
文法句型
pending + noun phrase
用法筆記
Mostly formal and common in legal writing, notices, and office emails. It is followed by a noun phrase naming the event or decision being awaited, and the main clause states what is paused or delayed.