Contingency
/kənˈtɪndʒənsi/
nounB2
Definition
Contingency is a situation or event that may or may not happen, depending on other things. It usually means an unexpected or possible problem that you prepare for in advance. People often make contingency plans to be ready for surprises or emergencies.
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⚡ See It in Action
A possible event or situation that may or may not happen
- •We have to prepare for every contingency in the project.
- •The contract includes clauses for financial contingencies.
- •Contingencies like bad weather can delay the construction.
A plan or action made to deal with possible future problems
- •The company has a contingency plan in case of a power failure.
- •Always have a contingency fund for unexpected expenses.
- •Emergency services create contingency strategies for disasters.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "contingency" like "plan" (A1 word), but a special plan only for things that might happen, not things that are sure
- ✓Picture a safety net under a tightrope walker—it's there just in case they fall, even if they hope not to
- ✓It's the feeling of being ready for surprises, like carrying an umbrella because it might rain
- ✓Sounds like "can-TIN-jen-see" → imagine a "tin" can that you keep just in case you need it later
- ✓Think of stories where heroes prepare for unexpected attacks by making secret plans—this is their contingency
- ✓NOT like "certainty" (something sure to happen), contingency is about what might happen, not what will
- ✓NOT like "routine plan" (regular, everyday), contingency plans are for emergencies or surprises
- ✓NOT like "accident" (something that happens by chance), contingency is about preparing for possible accidents or problems
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Possibility: something that might happen (Use when talking generally about what could happen without focusing on plans)
- •Emergency: a sudden, serious situation (Use when the event is serious and needs quick action)
- •Backup plan: an alternative plan (Use when talking about a specific plan made in case the first plan fails)
- •Risk: the chance of something bad happening (Use when focusing on danger or loss)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "con-" (with, together) + "tingere" (Latin root meaning to touch or depend) + "-ency" (noun suffix)
- •Etymology: From Latin "contingentia," meaning "touching, depending on"
- •Historical development: Originally used to mean something that depends on something else; over time, it came to mean possible events that depend on conditions
- •Modern usage: Used in business, law, and everyday life to talk about possible future events and plans to handle them
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How do you prepare for contingencies in your daily life or work?
•Can a contingency ever become a certainty? How would that change your planning?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The company created a contingency plan ___ a sudden drop in sales.
2.We keep extra supplies as a contingency ___ emergencies.
3.Unlike regular plans, contingency plans are made ___ unexpected events.
4.A contingency fund is money saved ___ unexpected costs or problems.
5.You cannot predict every contingency, but you can ___ for many of them.
6.When bad weather delayed the event, the contingency plan ___ into action.
7.Contingency differs from certainty because it is about what ___ happen, not what will.