Conditional vs. Contingent — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Conditional typically implies a stipulation or requirement that affects outcomes, while contingent denotes dependence on uncertain events or conditions.
Difference Between Conditional and Contingent
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conditional statements often involve conditions that must be met for a certain result to occur, while contingent refers to outcomes that depend on variables that may or may not happen.
In legal terms, a conditional requirement might be a clause in a contract that specifies certain actions must be completed before the contract is fully effective, whereas a contingent claim in law relies on future events that are uncertain.
Conditional can also apply to logic, where it refers to a proposition or statement whose truth is dependent on another proposition being true. On the other hand, contingent in philosophy speaks to facts or truths that could be otherwise and are not necessarily true under all circumstances.
Conditional programming constructs in software development specify operations that only run under certain conditions, whereas contingent operations might involve handling unexpected or exceptional conditions.
Conditional relationships in statistics specify a dependency between variables under certain conditions, whereas contingent dependencies are often modeled as probabilities that vary based on external factors.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Dependent on specific stipulations or requirements
Dependent on uncertain events or conditions
Usage in Philosophy
Implies logical dependency between propositions
Relates to events that are not necessarily true
Usage in Law
Clauses that activate under specific conditions
Claims depending on uncertain future events
Usage in Programming
Code that executes when conditions are met
Code handling uncertain or exceptional cases
Usage in Statistics
Relationships defined under specific conditions
Probabilities influenced by external factors
Compare with Definitions
Conditional
Dependent on fulfillment of a stipulated condition.
Conditional access is granted only after identity verification.
Contingent
In philosophy, used to describe truths that could be otherwise.
Many philosophical debates involve contingent truths.
Conditional
Expressing a hypothesis or dependency.
In grammar, a conditional sentence might start with if to indicate a scenario.
Contingent
In law, used to refer to something not yet certain.
A contingent beneficiary in a will receives benefits under certain conditions.
Conditional
Specifying that something will happen provided certain terms are met.
Conditional approval is common in loan processing.
Contingent
Possible or liable but not certain to occur.
Contingent liabilities are recorded in financial statements.
Conditional
In programming, used to describe code that executes based on certain conditions.
Conditional loops iterate as long as a condition is true.
Contingent
Occurring or existing only if certain circumstances are the case.
His agreement was contingent upon the approval of the board.
Conditional
In logic, a proposition that asserts implication.
A conditional statement might claim that if one thing is true, then another must follow.
Contingent
Dependent on or conditioned by something else.
Promotions are often contingent on job performance.
Conditional
Imposing, depending on, or containing a condition.
Contingent
Subject to chance
The contingent nature of the job
Conditional
(Grammar) Stating, containing, or implying a condition.
Contingent
Occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent on
His fees were contingent on the success of his search
Conditional
(Psychology) Brought about by conditioning.
Contingent
A group of people sharing a common feature, forming part of a larger group
A contingent of Japanese businessmen attending a conference
Conditional
A mood, tense, clause, word, or morpheme expressing a condition. See Usage Note at if.
Contingent
Liable but not certain to occur; possible
"All salaries are reckoned on contingent as well as on actual services" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Conditional
Limited by a condition.
I made my son a conditional promise: I would buy him a bike if he kept his room tidy.
Contingent
Dependent on other conditions or circumstances; conditional
Arms sales contingent on the approval of Congress.
Conditional
(logic) Stating that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional statement.
Contingent
Happening by or subject to chance or accident; unpredictable
Contingent developments that jeopardized the negotiations.
Conditional
(grammar) Expressing a condition or supposition.
A conditional word, mode, or tense
Contingent
(Logic) True only under certain conditions; not necessarily or universally true
A contingent proposition.
Conditional
(grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.
Contingent
A group or detachment, as of troops or police, assigned to aid a larger force.
Conditional
(grammar) The conditional mood.
Contingent
A representative group that is selected from or part of a larger group.
Conditional
(logic) A statement that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional.
Contingent
An event or condition that is likely but not inevitable.
Conditional
(programming) An instruction that branches depending on the truth of a condition at that point.
if and while are conditionals in some programming languages.Contingent
An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future.
Conditional
A condition a limitation or restriction.
Contingent
That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share.
Conditional
Containing, implying, or depending on, a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or granted on certain terms; as, a conditional promise.
Every covenant of God with man . . . may justly be made (as in fact it is made) with this conditional punishment annexed and declared.
Contingent
(military) A quota of troops.
Conditional
Expressing a condition or supposition; as, a conditional word, mode, or tense.
A conditional proposition is one which asserts the dependence of one categorical proposition on another.
The words hypothetical and conditional may be . . . used synonymously.
Contingent
Possible or liable, but not certain to occur.
Conditional
A limitation.
Contingent
(with upon or on) Dependent on something that is undetermined or unknown, that may or may not occur.
The success of his undertaking is contingent upon events which he cannot control.
A contingent estate
Conditional
A conditional word, mode, or proposition.
Disjunctives may be turned into conditionals.
Contingent
Not logically necessarily true or false.
Conditional
Qualified by reservations
Contingent
Temporary.
Contingent labor
Contingent worker
Conditional
Imposing or depending on or containing a condition;
Conditional acceptance of the terms
Lent conditional support
The conditional sale will not be complete until the full purchase price is paid
Contingent
Possible, or liable, but not certain, to occur; incidental; casual.
Weighing so much actual crime against so much contingent advantage.
Contingent
Dependent on that which is undetermined or unknown; as, the success of his undertaking is contingent upon events which he can not control.
Contingent
Dependent for effect on something that may or may not occur; as, a contingent estate.
If a contingent legacy be left to any one when he attains, or if he attains, the age of twenty-one.
Contingent
An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency.
His understanding could almost pierce into future contingents.
Contingent
That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops.
From the Alps to the border of Flanders, contingents were required . . . 200,000 men were in arms.
Contingent
A gathering of persons representative of some larger group;
Each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics
Contingent
A temporary military unit;
The peace-keeping force includes one British contingent
Contingent
Possible but not certain to occur;
They had to plan for contingent expenses
Contingent
Determined by conditions or circumstances not yet established;
Arms sales contingent on the approval of congress
Contingent
Uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances;
The results of confession were not contingent, they were certain
Common Curiosities
How do conditional statements function in programming?
Conditional statements in programming control the flow of execution based on whether specified conditions are true or false.
What is the difference between a conditional and an unconditional offer?
A conditional offer depends on certain requirements being fulfilled, whereas an unconditional offer stands regardless of further conditions.
How do contingent events influence business planning?
Contingent events significantly affect business planning because they involve uncertainties that businesses must be prepared to manage.
What does conditional mean in a contract?
In a contract, conditional means that certain parts of the contract are only effective if specified conditions are met.
Are contingent liabilities the same as probable liabilities?
Contingent liabilities are potential liabilities that might become actual, depending on the outcome of future events, often seen as less certain than probable liabilities.
How do conditional sentences affect communication?
Conditional sentences often introduce scenarios and hypothetical situations, shaping the context in which information is communicated.
How are conditional formulas used in statistics?
Conditional formulas in statistics are used to calculate probabilities or outcomes based on specific, predefined conditions.
How does contingency planning differ from strategic planning?
Contingency planning specifically prepares for unexpected events, whereas strategic planning addresses broader, long-term goals and directions.
What role do conditional clauses play in legal documents?
Conditional clauses in legal documents specify actions or conditions that must be fulfilled for the contract to be fully enforceable.
Can a statement be both conditional and contingent?
Yes, a statement can be both conditional and contingent if it depends on specific conditions that are themselves uncertain.
What makes a fact contingent in philosophy?
A fact is considered contingent in philosophy if it could have been different and is not necessarily true in all scenarios.
What is a conditional love?
Conditional love is affection that is given only when certain conditions or expectations are met.
Is a contingent offer risky?
A contingent offer can be risky as it depends on variables that are not guaranteed, potentially affecting the outcomes related to the offer.
What are contingent workers?
Contingent workers are individuals who are employed on a non-permanent basis, typically dependent on the needs of the business.
What is a contingent asset?
A contingent asset is a potential asset that may arise depending on the outcome of a future event.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
