The phrase “provided that” has numerous possible meanings, which can result in ambiguity if it is not used properly.
First of all, “provided that” can simply be a verb + conjunction combination. This is a common structure in legal writing. E.g.:
Section 3 provides that the obligation does not apply in the following circumstances.
(i.e. In accordance with section 3, the obligation does not apply…)
Before it was amended, the Act provided that the seller could take possession of the goods and retain them until payment was made.
(i.e. Under the previous version of the Act, the seller could take possession…)
In this way contracts, laws or acts have “provisions”. Provisions are particular rules, requirements, stipulations, etc.
“Provided that” also has an idiomatic meaning as a phrase that introduces a proviso. A proviso can be a number of things, including a condition, an exception and a qualification.
1) The most common idiomatic meaning is “on the condition that”. This is how “provided that” is usually understood in everyday English. Here are some examples:
You may go to the party provided that you’re home by 12.00.
You can drive a car provided that you have a valid licence.
You may produce your own version of the form, provided that the content is the same as in the attached template.
If you omit “that” the meaning stays the same:
You can drive a car provided you have a valid licence.
2) A less common meaning is “with the exception that”. This meaning is rarely used outside of legal writing. E.g.:
If the Deposit is not paid, the Seller has the right to rescind this Agreement by delivering written notice to the Purchaser within 30 days of the date of this Agreement, provided that such rescission right is not effective if the Seller has rescinded the Preliminary Agreement for the Property.
(i.e. If the Deposit is not paid the Seller has the right to rescind this Agreement except if the Seller has already rescinded the Preliminary Agreement.)
All the above comments apply to the Properties, provided that the comments concerning the Expropriation Decision do not apply as there was no equivalent for the Properties.
(i.e. All the above comments apply to the Properties except the comments concerning the Expropriation Decision.)
3) Here’s an – admittedly rather complex – example of “provided that” as a qualification. Again this usage is only likely to appear in legal writing.
If the Seller’s production of the product is stopped or disrupted by an event of force majeure, the Seller must allocate its available supplies of the product to the Buyer based upon the same percentage of the Seller’s preceding year’s shipments of products to the Buyer in relation to the Seller’s total shipments of the product, provided, however, that to the extent that the Seller does not need any tonnage that is available in excess of the allocation of products to the Buyer, it must make that tonnage available to the Buyer.*
(i.e. The proviso qualifies the Seller’s obligation by adding additional information: If the Seller has a greater amount of the product available than the same percentage of the previous year’s shipments to the Buyer, he must also sell that amount to the Buyer.)
The phrase “providing that” is sometimes used as an alternative to “provided that”. Both mean the same thing and both are correct, but “provided that” is the more popular alternative.
* Example taken from Bryan Garner “Legal Writing in Plain English”, p. 111. Needless to say, Garner presents this sentence as an example of how NOT to write legal English. Garner generally does not advocate the use of provisos. He suggests rewriting and simplifying such sentences – a point of view that you might agree with if you’ve had difficulty understanding the last three examples in this post.
The verb “provide” works really well as a standalone word. However, some people get confused when including the preposition “with” after it and whether the meaning is directly impacted. Let’s have a look at the differences.
What Is The Difference Between “Provide” And “Provide With”?
Provide should be used when the object of the sentence is the material that is given. You can “provide something.” Provide with should be used when the object of the sentence is the recipient of the thing being given. You can “provide somebody with something”.
If you refer to The Cambridge Dictionary, you can see that “provide” means “to give someone something that they need,” which provides us with a fundamental definition that we’ll continue working with throughout the article.
Is It Correct To Say “Provide Me With”?
It is correct to say “provide me with” because we always need to include the recipient as the object of the sentence when using “provide with.” That means “provide somebody with,” where “somebody” is the object (in this case, “somebody” becomes “me”).
Without using the “somebody” as an object, we can’t use provide with in a sentence correctly. Let’s look at a quick example.
- You provide me with what I need.
- You provide with what I need.
The first sentence works perfectly and is the grammatically correct way to write it. However, the second sentence makes no sense and should not be written in this way. We’re not showing the reader who is being provided with the thing.
Instead, the reader is left in the dark about the object of the sentence. They’ll be rereading that sentence, trying to figure out what it is you’re trying to say, but they won’t be able to figure it out.
Incidentally, if we removed “with” from the sentence, it would go back to being grammatically correct.
- You provide what I need.
Here, we have a complete sentence. Without using “with,” the object of the sentence turns into the material given. That means “what I need” is the new object of the sentence, making it perfect in a grammatical sense.
Of course, for that to make more sense, it’s usually clarified what “what I need” means. For example, if it’s a passage of text, we’ll often include what is “needed” in the next sentence.
However, if it’s in speaking, the context is usually given by the two people talking. In this case, if a son said that to his father, the implication is what they “need” is good parenting and things like that.
How Do You Use “Provide” In A Sentence? (Examples)
Now let’s look at some examples of the two phrases in action. We’ll start with the slightly more simple variation where no preposition is required.
Remember, we use “provide” when the object of the sentence is the thing that is given to somebody. We don’t need to use any pronouns to tell who or what is being given.
- That’s my father. He provided all the things for this party.
- This school provides everything necessary to succeed in life.
- He provides all the fundamental parts for you.
- They provided the food, and I only had to eat it.
- I’m going to provide what’s needed on this list for the party.
- I’m providing entertainment to anyone who needs it! I’m a clown!
We included a few variations, using different pronouns to introduce the verb as well as different tenses to see how that effects it. You’ll be pleased to know that “provide” is a regular verb, meaning it has no annoying language rules that might change it from the base form depending on its use.
Whether we use “provide,” “provided,” or “providing,” we’re using the word in the same sense. We never need a preposition like “with” to follow it in any of these cases because the object of the sentence is already clarified.
The object depends on the context, which can make it confusing for some people. However, if you pay close attention to each sentence, you’ll see what they are. For example, in the first one, “all the things” is the object, and we work our way down from there.
Read through the examples we’ve provided above and see if you can pick out all the objects of the sentence that allow us to not use “with” when we’re writing.
How Do You Use “Provide With” In A Sentence? (Examples)
Now let’s see when we would use “provide with” instead. We include “with” when we’re using pronouns. These pronouns are used to refer to a recipient of a gift or the thing that is “provided.”
“Provide with” is used when we use the recipient as the object. That means we need a pronoun like “me” or “you” in-between the two words for it to make sense.
- He provides me with all the things I ask for.
- I provide you with everything, and I can easily take that away.
- You provide her with the things she wants in a man.
- We provide them with the money, and they deliver the fun!
- I’m providing you with the things you need to make it in life.
- You provided me with the tools to help make my dream a reality.
Again, we used as many variations as we could to really give you a clear idea of how we might use “provide with” in a sentence.
There should always be a pronoun between the two words; otherwise, you’ve made an error. If you read a sentence and see “provide with” next to each other, it means you’ve gone wrong somewhere and omitted a vital part!
Quiz: Have You Mastered Provide Vs. Provide With?
Let’s finish with a quiz to see what you’ve learned!
- He (A. provides / B. provides me with) everything for the party.
- I (A. provide / B. provide me with) the questions they answer in focus groups.
- They (A. provide / B. provide me with) a fun time whenever I want it.
- We (A. provide / B. provide you with) happiness to all who need it.
- We (A. provide / B. provide you with) entertainment when you order it.
Quiz Answers
- A
- A
- B
- A
- B
You may also like: Is It “Provide X To Someone” or “Provide X For Someone”?
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
Unit 115- Part A
Unit 115- Part B
Unit 115- Part C
When you are talking about the future, do not use will after unless / as long as / so long as / provided / providing. Use a present tense (see Unit 25):
• I’m not going out unless it stops raining. (not unless it will stop)
• Providing the weather is good, we’re going to have a picnic. (not providing it will be good)
Exercises
{slide=1 Write a new sentence with the same meaning.}Write a new sentence with the same meaning. Use unless in your sentence.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2 You won’t know what to do unless you listen carefully.
3 I’ll never speak to her again unless she apologises to me. or Unless she apologises to me, I’ll …
4 He won’t be able to understand you unless you speak very slowly. or Unless you speak very slowly, he …
5 The company will have to close unless business improves soon. or Unless business improves soon, the company …{end-tooltip}
1 You must try a bit harder or you won’t pass the exam.
You won’t pass the exam unless you try a bit harder.
2 Listen carefully or you won’t know what to do.
You won’t know what to do __________________________
3 She must apologise to me or I’ll never speak to her again.
___________________________________________________
4 You have to speak very slowly or he won’t be able to understand you.
___________________________________________________
5 Business must improve soon, or the company will have to close.
___________________________________________________
{/slide} {slide=2 Write sentences with unless.}Write sentences with unless.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2 I’m not going (to the party) unless you go too.
3 The dog won’t attack you unless you move suddenly.
4 Ben won’t speak to you unless you ask him something.
5 The doctor won’t see you unless it’s an emergency.{end-tooltip}
1 The club isn’t open to everyone. You are allowed in only if you’re a member.
You aren’t allowed in the club unless you’re a member.
2 I don’t want to go to the party alone. I’m going only if you go too.
I’m not going _________________________________________
3 Don’t worry about the dog. It will attack you only if you move suddenly.
The dog ______________________________________________
4 Ben isn’t very talkative. He’ll speak to you only if you ask him something.
Ben __________________________________________________
5 Today is a public holiday. The doctor will see you only if it’s an emergency.
The doctor ____________________________________________
{/slide} {slide=3 Choose the correct word or expression for each sentence.}Choose the correct word or expression for each sentence.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}2 unless
3 providing
4 as long as
5 unless
6 unless
7 provided
8 Unless
9 unless
10 as long as{end-tooltip}
1 You can borrow my car unless / as long as you promise not to drive too fast. (as long as is correct)
1 I’m playing tennis tomorrow unless / providing it rains.
3 I’m playing tennis tomorrow unless / providing it doesn’t rain.
4 I don’t mind if you come home late unless / as long as you come in quietly.
5 I’m going now unless / provided you want me to stay.
6 I don’t watch TV unless / as long as I’ve got nothing else to do.
7 Children are allowed to use the swimming pool unless / provided they are with an adult.
8 Unless /provided they are with an adult, children are not allowed to use the swimming pool.
9 We can sit here in the corner unless / as long as you’d rather sit over there by the window.
10 A: Our holiday cost a lot of money.
B: Did it? Well, that doesn’t matter unless / as long as you enjoyed yourselves.
{/slide} {slide=4 Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.}Use your own ideas to complete these sentences.
{tooltip}Key.{end-link}Example answers:
2 it’s not too hot
3 there isn’t too much traffic
4 it isn’t raining
5 I’m in a hurry
6 you have something else to do
7 you pay it back next week
8 you take risks{end-tooltip}
1 We’ll be late unless we get a taxi .
2 I like hot weather as long as _____________________________.
3 It takes Kate about 20 minutes to drive to work provided _____________________________.
4 I don’t mind walking home as long as _____________________________.
5 I like to walk to work in the morning unless _____________________________.
6 We can meet tomorrow unless _____________________________.
7 You can borrow the money providing _____________________________.
8 You won’t achieve anything unless _____________________________.
{/slide}
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Proper Usage of «That» in English
Updated on November 26, 2019
The word ‘that’ is a common word in English that is used in many different ways. Did you notice the use of ‘that’ in the previous sentence? In this case, ‘that’ was used as a relative pronoun as a complement. Often ‘that’ can be used or left out of a sentence entirely. For example, many English students know (that) you can leave out ‘that,’ depending on the instance. This guide to the use of ‘that’ will help you understand when to use the word, as well as when it’s okay to leave it out.
‘That’ as a Determiner
‘That’ is used as a determiner at the beginning of sentences to indicate one object which is far from the speaker. Note that the plural form of ‘that’ as a determiner is ‘those.’ ‘That’ and ‘those’ is generally used with ‘there’ to indicate that the object(s) is not close to the speaker.
Examples
- That’s my friend Tom over there.
- That’s a pencil you have in your hand.
- Those paintings are by Cezanne.
- That is my house on the corner of the street.
‘That’ as a Relative Pronoun
‘That’ can be used as a relative pronoun to connect two clauses. In this case, ‘that’ can also be substituted by ‘who’ or ‘which.’
Examples: That = Which
Tom bought the apples that the man was selling.
OR
Tom bought the apples which the man was selling.
Examples: That = Who
Peter invited the boy that was new in class.
OR
Peter invited the boy who was new in class.
‘That’ in a Clause as an Object
‘That’ can be used in clauses that act as the object of a verb.
Examples
- Jennifer hinted that she would be late for class.
- Doug knew that he needed to hurry up.
- The teacher suggested that we finish our homework.
‘That’ in a Clause as a Complement to a Noun or an Adjective
‘That’ can be used in a clause following a noun or an adjective as a complement. A complement helps give additional information about the noun or adjective. It answers the question ‘why.’
Examples
- Peter is upset that his sister wants to drop out of high school.
- Mr. Johnson appreciates our efforts that have brought in a lot of donations.
- She is certain that her son will be accepted to Harvard.
‘That’ Clause as Subject of a Sentence
‘That’ clauses can introduce a phrase acting as the subject of a sentence. This use of ‘that’ clauses is somewhat formal and is not common in everyday speech.
Examples
- That it is so difficult is hard to understand.
- That Mary feels so sad is very upsetting.
- That our teacher expects us to do two hours of homework every day is crazy!
The Fact That …
Related to the use of ‘that’ clauses as a subject is the more common phrase «The fact that…» to introduce a sentence. While both forms are correct, it is much more common to begin a sentence with the phrase «The fact that….»
Examples
- The fact that he wants to see you should make you happy.
- The fact that unemployment is still high proves what a difficult economy this is.
- The fact that Tom passed the test shows how much he has improved.
Compound Conjunctions with ‘That’
There are a number of compound conjunctions (words that connect) with ‘that.’ These expressions tend to be used in formal English and include:
«in order that,» «so that,» «providing that,» «in case that,» «now that,» «given that»
Examples
- He purchased the computer so that he might improve his typing.
- Susan told him she would marry him providing that he found a job.
- Alice feels happy now that she has moved into a new home.
After Reporting Verbs
‘That’ can be dropped after reporting verbs such as say (that), tell someone (that), regret (that), imply (that), etc.
Examples
- Jennifer said (that) she was in a hurry.
- Jack told me (that) he wanted to move to New York.
- The boss implied (that) the company was doing very well.
After Adjectives
Some adjectives can be followed by ‘that’ when answering the question ‘why.’ ‘That’ can be dropped after the adjective.
- I’m happy (that) you found a new job.
- She’s sad (that) he’s going to move to New York.
- Jack is anxious (that) he didn’t pass the test.
As Object in Relative Clauses
It’s common to drop ‘that’ when it is the object of the relative clause it introduces.
- He invited the boy (that) he met on the train.
- Shelly purchased the chair (that) she had seen at the auction.
- Alfred wants to read the book (that) Jane recommended.
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