What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
imminent
Example
The storm is imminent, and we need to prepare for it. [imminent: adjective]
Example
The company is facing imminent bankruptcy if they don't take action soon. [imminent: adjective]
pending
Example
The approval of the project is pending until further notice. [pending: adjective]
Example
The court case is still pending, and we don't know the outcome yet. [pending: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pending is more commonly used than imminent in everyday language. Pending is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while imminent is less common and tends to be used in more formal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between imminent and pending?
Both imminent and pending are often used in official or formal contexts, but imminent may be considered more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
