Confirmation vs. Pending — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
"Confirmation" refers to the act of verifying or approving something as correct or final, whereas "pending" denotes a state where something is awaiting decision or completion.
Difference Between Confirmation and Pending
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Key Differences
Confirmation is a final step in various processes, signifying that an action has been verified and accepted. On the other hand, pending indicates that an action or decision is still under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion.
In business, confirmation might refer to the final approval of a transaction or agreement, ensuring all parties are aware that the deal is complete. Whereas pending status in the same context implies that the transaction or agreement is still being processed or reviewed and is not yet finalized.
When using software or applications, users receive confirmation messages after completing an action, like a successful registration or transaction. Conversely, a status might be shown as pending when an action or request, such as a payment or application submission, is still being processed.
In legal terms, confirmation could be related to the ratification of decisions or agreements, making them legally binding. Meanwhile, pending might refer to cases or decisions that are still under review by a court or a legal authority, not yet reaching a final verdict.
During project management, a task moves from pending to confirmed once all necessary approvals are secured and the task is set to proceed. Pending, however, implies that the task is still awaiting these approvals or completion of prior stages.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Final approval or verification
Awaiting decision or completion
Common Usage
Business deals, legal agreements, software actions
Business processes, legal cases, tasks in project management
Indicates
Completion and certainty
Uncertainty and in-process status
Legal Context
Ratification of decisions or agreements
Cases or decisions under review
Project Management
Task is ready to proceed
Task awaits approvals or prior completions
Compare with Definitions
Confirmation
Finalization of a decision or plan.
Confirmation of the project details was essential before work commenced.
Pending
Awaiting a conclusion or decision.
The application remains pending until further notice.
Confirmation
The act of verifying or approving something.
We received confirmation of the payment through email.
Pending
Not yet resolved or completed.
Several items on the agenda are still pending.
Confirmation
Formal ratification of an agreement.
The treaty's confirmation came after intense negotiations.
Pending
Suspended until a particular condition is met.
The project is pending approval from the board.
Confirmation
Assurance provided by verifying details.
She asked for confirmation of the meeting time to avoid confusion.
Pending
In a state of temporary delay.
The delivery status is marked as pending.
Confirmation
In Christian denominations that practice infant baptism, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. Those being confirmed are known as confirmands.
Pending
Pending is a district in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Administratively, it is in the Kuching South City Council area.
Confirmation
The act of confirming.
Pending
Not yet decided or settled; awaiting conclusion or confirmation.
Confirmation
Something that confirms; verification.
Pending
Impending; imminent.
Confirmation
A Christian rite admitting a baptized person to full membership in a church.
Pending
While in the process of; during.
Confirmation
A ceremony in Judaism that marks the completion of a young person's religious training.
Pending
While awaiting; until.
Confirmation
An official indicator that things will happen as planned.
We will send you a written confirmation of your hotel booking.
Pending
Present participle of pend
Confirmation
A verification that something is true or has happened.
The announcement in the newspaper was a confirmation of my suspicions.
Pending
Awaiting a conclusion or a confirmation.
Confirmation
A ceremony of sealing and conscious acknowledgement of the faith in many Christian churches, typically around the ages of 14 to 18; considered a sacrament in some churches, including Catholicism, but not in most Protestant churches.
Pending
Begun but not completed.
Confirmation
The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment.
Their blood is shedIn confirmation of the noblest claim.
Pending
About to happen; imminent or impending.
Confirmation
That which confirms; that which gives new strength or assurance; as to a statement or belief; additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony.
Trifles light as airAre to the jealous confirmations strongAs proofs of holy writ.
Pending
While waiting for something; until.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the police officer is suspended from duty.
Confirmation
A rite supplemental to baptism, by which a person is admitted, through the laying on of the hands of a bishop, to the full privileges of the church, as in the Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church, etc.
This ordinance is called confirmation, because they who duly receive it are confirmed or strengthened for the fulfillment of their Christian duties, by the grace therein bestowed upon them.
Pending
During.
Pending the investigation, the police officer is suspended from duty.
Confirmation
A conveyance by which a voidable estate is made sure and not voidable, or by which a particular estate is increased; a contract, express or implied, by which a person makes that firm and binding which was before voidable.
Pending
Not yet decided; in continuance; in suspension; as, a pending suit.
Confirmation
Additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct;
Fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
Pending
During; as, pending the trail.
Confirmation
Information that confirms or verifies
Pending
Until; awaiting; as, no decision will be taken pending his arrival.
Confirmation
Making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it;
The ratification of the treaty
Confirmation of the appointment
Pending
Awaiting conclusion or confirmation;
Business still pending
Confirmation
A ceremony held in the synagogue (usually at Pentecost) to admit as adult members of the Jewish community young men and women who have successfully completed a course of study in Judaism
Pending
Conditional upon a future event.
His promotion is pending the completion of his training.
Confirmation
A sacrament admitting a baptized person to full participation in the church
Confirmation
Acknowledgment that something is correct.
The confirmation message appeared once the form was submitted.
Common Curiosities
What does pending mean?
Pending indicates that something is awaiting a decision or completion and has not yet been finalized.
What is the difference between confirmation and pending in legal terms?
In legal contexts, confirmation refers to the final ratification of decisions, making them binding, while pending indicates that cases or decisions are still under review.
What does confirmation mean?
Confirmation is the act of verifying or finalizing something as correct or agreed upon.
How does pending status affect project management?
In project management, a pending status means tasks or decisions are awaiting necessary approvals or the completion of prior tasks.
How is confirmation used in a business context?
In business, confirmation is used to denote that a transaction or agreement has been finalized and approved.
What does it mean when a payment is pending?
A pending payment means that the transaction is still being processed and has not yet been finalized.
How can one move a pending decision to confirmed?
Moving a decision from pending to confirmed generally involves obtaining the necessary approvals or completing required processes.
Can a task be both pending and confirmed?
Typically, a task cannot be both pending and confirmed as they represent different stages; pending is before confirmation.
What role does confirmation play in online transactions?
Confirmation in online transactions serves to reassure the user that their action, like a payment or order, has been successfully processed.
What happens after confirmation is received?
After confirmation is received, the action or decision is considered complete and final, and no further approval is typically necessary.
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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.