Impending vs. Pending: Know the Difference
By Hifza Nasir & Dua Fatima || Updated on March 7, 2024
Impending refers to something about to happen soon, stressing the immediacy of a looming event. Pending indicates awaiting a conclusion or decision, highlighting a state of pause.
Key Differences
Impending is often used to describe an event or situation that is about to occur imminently, suggesting a sense of urgency and sometimes a degree of foreboding. For instance, one might speak of impending disaster when a storm is about to hit. On the other hand, pending implies that something is awaiting decision or resolution but does not convey the same immediacy or sense of doom. It is commonly used in legal and business contexts, as in pending approval for a project, indicating it is under review.
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
Impending events usually carry a connotation of inevitability and are often beyond human control, such as natural disasters or events that have been set in motion that cannot be easily stopped or changed. Whereas pending situations often involve human decision-making processes and may be influenced or changed based on new information or decisions, suggesting a temporary status that is expected to be resolved.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
While impending is often associated with negative outcomes or dangers, it can also be used in neutral or positive contexts, like an impending celebration, to indicate something is about to happen very soon. Pending, however, is more neutral and does not imply the nature of the outcome. It simply indicates that the outcome or decision is yet to be determined, such as a pending application.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Comparison Chart
Immediacy
High, suggesting something will happen soon
Lower, indicating awaiting decision or action
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
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Usage Context
Natural events, disasters, certain actions
Legal, business, applications, decisions
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Outcome Implication
Implies inevitability
Implies awaiting resolution or decision
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
Impending and Pending Definitions
Impending
About to happen imminently.
The town prepared for the impending storm.
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
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Impending
Hanging over one's head.
The threat of layoffs was impending in the workplace.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 07, 2024
Impending
Looming in the near future.
They discussed the impending changes in the law.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 07, 2024
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Impending
Imminent and unavoidable.
The impending disaster was a topic of much concern.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Pending
Hanging in uncertainty.
The project's future is pending further review.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Impending
To threaten to happen; menace
Discouraged by the trouble that impended.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Impending
Approaching; drawing near; about to happen or expected to happen.
I have no time right now because of an impending paper submission deadline.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Impending
Hanging over; overhanging; suspended so as to menace; imminet; threatening.
An impending brow.
And nodding Ilion waits th' impending fall.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Impending
Close in time; about to occur;
Retribution is at hand
Some people believe the day of judgment is close at hand
In imminent danger
His impending retirement
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Pending
While waiting for something; until.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the police officer is suspended from duty.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Pending
During.
Pending the investigation, the police officer is suspended from duty.
Hifza Nasir
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does impending differ in urgency compared to pending?
Impending conveys more immediacy and urgency than pending, which suggests a state of waiting.
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
Can impending be used for positive events?
Yes, impending can describe any event about to occur, including positive ones.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Can a natural disaster be pending?
It's more appropriate to use impending for natural disasters due to their immediate and unavoidable nature.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Can both terms be used interchangeably in any context?
No, their usage depends on the context and the nature of the event or situation being described.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Is the use of impending or pending affected by control over the situation?
Yes, impending often suggests lack of control, while pending might involve decisions or actions that can influence outcomes.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 07, 2024
What type of events are typically described as impending?
Natural disasters, deadlines, and significant changes are often described as impending.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
How does the emotional tone differ between impending and pending?
Impending often carries a more urgent or sometimes ominous tone, whereas pending is more neutral.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
What does impending mean?
Impending describes something about to happen very soon, often with a sense of urgency.
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
Is something pending necessarily going to happen?
Not always; pending means it's under review or consideration and may or may not proceed.
Shumaila Saeed
Mar 07, 2024
What situations are commonly referred to as pending?
Legal decisions, approvals, and applications are commonly described as pending.
Dua Fatima
Mar 07, 2024
Can a situation be both impending and pending?
Rarely, as they imply different stages of immediacy and resolution.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
What does pending mean?
Pending indicates something is awaiting a decision or conclusion, not yet resolved.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
How does context affect the choice between impending and pending?
The choice depends on whether the focus is on imminent occurrence or awaiting resolution.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
Can the outcome of an impending event be altered?
Typically, impending events are seen as inevitable, making alteration difficult or impossible.
Hifza Nasir
Mar 07, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Hifza Nasir
Co-written by
Dua Fatima
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
Shumaila Saeed
