provide someone with

USAGE SUMMARY

"provide someone with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used to describe giving someone something, such as a service or a tangible item. For example, "The store provided me with excellent customer service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

So, citing personal beliefs, a Scientologist could refuse to provide someone with psychiatric medications, a vegetarian could choose not to dispense medicines with animal components, and Jehovah's Witnesses are allowed to redirect patients who are prescribed blood-based treatments.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if you provide someone with access to financial services, you can't know if they will use any credit for borrowing or for investment, or if in fact they will borrow too much, have problems paying back and end up worse off.

The Guardian

Sarah Presto, welfare rights advisor, Macmillan Cancer Support: From a benefits point of view, the main issue carers face is that benefit levels are very low and do not provide someone with a suitable income while they care for another person around the clock..

The Guardian

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary [37] defines service as "to provide (someone) with something that is needed or wanted".

Journal of Cloud Computing

But does money provide someone with appropriate praise and a sense of accomplishment?

Forbes

But of all times when that is especially important, it is when you provide someone with corrective feedback.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is true that providing someone with income support and forgetting about them is not the solution to unemployment.

The Guardian - Opinion

They don't lower average after-tax income, since every tax dollar goes directly to providing someone with income.

The New York Times

It is important to recognise the transformative effect that providing someone with the right care and support can have.

The Guardian

Previously we may have provided someone with an assessment and information but now there's an expectation that we will provide a service.

The Guardian

3 05 Mac Rob McElhenneyy), another "Sunny" character, announces that he has just encountered the prostitute providing someone with oral sex in an alley.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provide someone with", ensure that the object being provided is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "provide someone with assistance" is clearer than simply "provide someone".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is doing the providing. Active voice (e.g. "The company provides customers with support") is often more direct and engaging than passive voice (e.g. "Customers are provided with support by the company").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide someone with" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It indicates the action of supplying or furnishing something to a recipient. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, consistently denoting the act of giving or making available.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provide someone with" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of giving or supplying something to another person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives such as "supply someone with" or "furnish someone with" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and effective way to convey the act of provision. When using this phrase, ensure the object being provided is explicitly stated for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply someone with

Focuses on the act of furnishing or making something available to someone.

furnish someone with

Emphasizes the act of equipping someone with something necessary or desired.

equip someone with

Highlights the act of providing someone with the necessary tools or resources.

give someone

A more direct and simple way of expressing the act of providing.

offer someone

Implies presenting something to someone for their consideration or acceptance.

present someone with

Suggests a formal act of giving something to someone.

grant someone

Suggests formally bestowing or conferring something upon someone.

bestow upon someone

Highlights the act of conferring something as a gift or honor.

endow someone with

Implies bestowing a quality or attribute upon someone.

entrust someone with

Emphasizes the act of giving someone responsibility or authority.

FAQs

How can I use "provide someone with" in a sentence?

You can use "provide someone with" to indicate giving something to someone. For example, "The organization aims to provide underprivileged children with educational resources."

What are some alternatives to "provide someone with"?

Alternatives include "supply someone with", "furnish someone with", or simply "give someone", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "provide to someone" instead of "provide someone with"?

While "provide to" might seem similar, "provide someone with" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. Using "provide to" can sound awkward or less natural.

What's the difference between "provide someone with" and "offer someone"?

"Provide someone with" implies actually giving or supplying something, whereas "offer someone" suggests presenting something for consideration, which may or may not be accepted.