provided

The school provided each student with a new notebook and pencil.

Definition

1. Conjunction:

   • On the condition that: "provided" is used to introduce a clause that states a condition that must be fulfilled for something else to happen. It is synonymous with "if" but often implies a stricter or more formal condition.
   • Example: You may go out, provided you finish your homework. (Going out is allowed only if homework is completed.)

2. Verb (past participle):

   • Supplied or furnished: As the past participle of "provide," it means that something was given, supplied, or made available.
   • Example: The materials were provided by the school. (The school supplied the materials.)

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:

  • We will proceed with the project, provided the budget is approved. (We will continue only if the budget is approved.)
  • She can borrow the car, provided she returns it by 10 p.m. (Borrowing is conditional on returning it by 10 p.m.)

• Verb (past participle):

  • All necessary equipment was provided for the expedition. (All equipment was supplied.)
  • The company provided lunch for the employees. (The company supplied lunch.)

Advanced Usage

• "provided that" (formal variant): Used to emphasize the condition.
  • The contract is valid, provided that both parties sign it. (The contract is valid only if both parties sign.)
• "provided for": To have taken care of or made arrangements for.
  • The will provided for the children's education. (The will made financial arrangements for education.)

Variants and Related Words

• Providing (conjunction): Synonymous with "provided," though slightly less formal.
  • You can stay, providing you clean up afterwards. (You can stay if you clean up.)
• Provision (noun): The action of supplying or making available.
  • The provision of clean water is essential. (Supplying clean water is essential.)

Synonyms

• If: Used to express a condition.
  • You can go if you finish your work. (Conditional permission.)
• As long as: Used to indicate a condition that must be met.
  • You can borrow the book, as long as you return it. (Conditional access.)
• On the understanding that: Formal phrase meaning "provided that."
  • He agreed to help on the understanding that he would be paid. (Help was conditional on payment.)

Idioms and Fixed Phrases

• "provided for": To be taken care of financially or otherwise.
  • The children are well provided for in the will. (The children’s financial needs are met.)
• "provided against": To take precautions against something.
  • The building is provided against fire with sprinklers. (The building has fire safety measures.)

Related Conjunctions (Comparison)

• Unless: Indicates a negative condition (i.e., "if not").
  • You cannot go unless you finish your homework. (Going is only possible if homework is finished; opposite of "provided.")
• Whether or not: Indicates that the condition does not affect the outcome.
  • We will go whether or not it rains. (The rain does not change the plan; not conditional like "provided.")

Grammatical Notes

• "Provided" as a conjunction is typically followed by a clause with a verb in the present or past tense, depending on the context.
  • She will attend, provided she is invited. (Present tense after "provided.")
  • He would have succeeded, provided he had tried. (Past perfect after "provided" in hypothetical contexts.)
• It is considered more formal than "if" and is common in legal, academic, and business writing.