provide water for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provide water for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of supplying water to someone or something, such as people, animals, or plants. Example: "The organization aims to provide water for the local community during the drought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And many cities and towns struggle to provide water for an ever-growing population.

The Guardian

Streams and springs are dammed to provide water for irrigation, with miles of irrigation line laid.

The New York Times

Originally, the government claimed that the dam would provide water for 5,500 hectares of land.

The Guardian

The Jos-Bukuru dam and reservoir on the Shen River provide water for the city's industries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main purpose of hydrants is to provide water for firefighting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tunnel joins two reservoirs that provide water for the plant, which is just south of Georgetown.

The New York Times

Is it a company's responsibility to provide water for domestic use in the vicinity of its operations?

The Guardian

The project includes storage for more than 100,000 litres and will provide water for 10,000 people.

The Guardian

The Cuddebackville dam, built in the early 1900's to provide water for a local hydroelectric plant, blocked the sculpins.

The New York Times

The first large still to provide water for commercial purposes was built in 1930 in Aruba, near Venezuela.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The emergency declaration will enable $5m of funding to be used to provide water for the city.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provide water for", ensure the context clearly specifies who or what is receiving the water. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "provide water for" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like "water" would suffice. For example, instead of "We provide water for the plants", simply say "We water the plants".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide water for" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. It is commonly used to explain why something is done in order to supply water to a specific recipient or for a particular purpose, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provide water for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the action of supplying water for a specific purpose or to a specific recipient. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is particularly frequent in news and media, encyclopedia and science sources, and serves to clarify intentions related to water management. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse in simple sentences where more direct verbs like "water" might suffice. When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, "provide water for" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply water to

Replaces "provide" with "supply", focusing on the act of furnishing water.

furnish water for

Emphasizes the provision of water, implying a more formal or official supply.

deliver water to

Highlights the action of transporting water to a specific location or recipient.

make water available for

Focuses on ensuring water is accessible and ready for use.

allocate water for

Implies a deliberate distribution of water resources for specific purposes.

offer water to

Suggests a more direct and immediate offering of water.

cater water to

Suggests providing water to fulfill specific requirements or preferences.

hydrate

A more concise, single-word alternative, referring to the act of providing water or moisture.

quench the thirst of

Specifically addresses the need to satisfy thirst, often in a more poetic or descriptive context.

irrigate

Specifically refers to providing water for agricultural purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "provide water for" in a sentence?

Use "provide water for" when you want to express the act of supplying water to a specific recipient or purpose. For example, "The dam was built to provide water for irrigation".

What are some alternatives to "provide water for"?

You can use alternatives like "supply water to", "furnish water for", or "deliver water to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "provide water for" or simply "water"?

The choice depends on the context. "Water" is more concise when the subject and object are clear (e.g., "We water the plants"). Use "provide water for" when you need to emphasize the act of supplying water to a specific entity or purpose.

What's the difference between "provide water for" and "irrigate"?

"Provide water for" is a general term, while "irrigate" specifically refers to supplying water to land or crops for agricultural purposes.