make a provision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a provision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of setting aside resources or making arrangements for a specific purpose or future need. Example: "The company decided to make a provision for potential losses in the upcoming fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

6. (For PDST proposals) Explain what financial aid will be available or why it is not necessary to make a provision for financial aid.

University of California, Berkeley

"Benefits of that nature may well be appropriate," he said, "and states are able to make a provision for the determination of those kinds of rights".

The New York Times

"Benefits of that nature may well be appropriate, and states are able to make a provision for the determination of those kinds of rights," Mr. Romney said Wednesday.

The New York Times

For example, Spain allows its banks to make a provision at the inception of a loan putting money aside for a rainy day.

The Economist

If the loans are valued at par or above, there is no need to make a provision, wherever they are kept in the bank.

The Economist

The bank is also caught up in the Libor rigging scandal but did not make a provision for any potential fine or legal cases.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

(On October 14th BankAmerica made a provision of $1.4 billion against credit losses in the third quarter).

The Economist

It has made a provision of up to £13m as a possible payment.

The Guardian

But he made a provision for a flagrant foul if "there was evident intent to injure the person".

The New York Times - Sports

With Lloyds making a provision of £3.2bn, observers are now expecting the total bill to double to about £9bn.

The Guardian - Business

Last year, Serco made a provision of £136m against the contract under Mr Soames's "onerous contract provision" review of the business, which it said reflected future losses.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In financial contexts, "make a provision" often refers to setting aside funds for potential losses or liabilities. Ensure that the amount and rationale for the provision are well-justified and documented.

Common error

Avoid using "make a provision" without specifying the details of what you are providing for. For example, instead of saying "The company will make a provision," specify "The company will make a provision of $1 million for potential legal settlements."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a provision" functions as a verb phrase where "make" is the main verb and "a provision" is the direct object. It describes the action of setting aside or preparing something for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a provision" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of preparing or allocating resources for a specific purpose. As shown in Ludwig, its contexts range from financial planning to legal arrangements and general preparation. The analysis indicates that its register leans towards neutral to formal, with frequent use in news, academic, and scientific sources. To ensure clarity, always specify what the provision is for. Alternatives like "set aside resources" or "allocate funding" can be used depending on the specific context. Overall, Ludwig AI validates the phrase's usability and offers valuable insights into its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside resources

Focuses specifically on allocating resources, often financial, for a particular purpose.

allocate funding

Specifically refers to assigning financial resources for a designated purpose.

establish a reserve

Highlights the creation of a fund or supply to be used in the future, especially for unexpected needs.

earmark funds

Emphasizes that funds are designated for a specific purpose and cannot be used for anything else.

plan ahead

A more general term, focusing on anticipating future needs without necessarily involving financial resources.

prepare in advance

Similar to "plan ahead" but emphasizes the timing of the preparation.

take precautions

Highlights the act of taking steps to prevent something negative from happening.

make arrangements

Focuses on organizing and coordinating details for a future event or situation.

ensure availability

Stresses the act of making certain that something will be accessible or ready when needed.

build in safeguards

Highlights the incorporation of protective measures to prevent undesirable outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "make a provision" in a sentence?

You can use "make a provision" to indicate setting aside resources or making arrangements for a specific purpose. For example, "The university must "make a provision" for student financial aid."

What are some alternatives to "make a provision"?

Alternatives include "set aside resources", "allocate funding", or "establish a reserve" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "made a provision" or "make a provision"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "made a provision" is the past tense form, while "make a provision" is the present tense or infinitive form. Use the appropriate tense based on the time frame you are referring to.

What's the difference between "make a provision" and "implement a provision"?

"Make a provision" refers to the act of creating or setting up a provision, while "implement a provision" means putting an existing provision into effect.