provided it is not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provided it is not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a condition or stipulation, indicating that something is acceptable only if a certain criterion is met. Example: "You can borrow my car, provided it is not needed for work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Milk can be frozen in its container provided it is not in glass.

WikiHow

A heritage turkey can be slow cooked but is not necessary since it will not dry out (provided it is not overcooked) due to its body composition.

WikiHow

Serendipity is a powerful force that eBay is keen to play on, so that almost anything (provided it is not illegal or offensive in its various markets) can be found either by chance or design.Along with other e-commerce firms, eBay is also interested in local shopping services.

The Economist

It means that "anyone can use a 'pin' mark provided it is not graphically similar to Pinterest's stylised/block and its corresponding "Pin it" button.

TechCrunch

Limestone, provided it is not sand-blasted, cleans rather nicely.

The Economist

We prove that S has a non-trivial invariant subspace provided it is not commutative.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Any garden soil, provided it is not too wet, will suffice, though it appreciates occasional mulching with leaf mould.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Small scale power plants, including those applicable to the transportation sector, can be designed to capture their CO2 exhaust stream, provided it is not heavily diluted with air.

Energy Conversion and Management

Communities are still debating the legal loophole, which permits the export of whole products to other countries provided it is not for recycling.

Science of The Total Environment

Instead, he said, the board may choose whom to pursue first, provided it is not acting improperly against a particular shareholder or shareholders.

The New York Times

But the court did permit the consideration of race as an influence in pursuit of a diverse student body provided it is not the deciding factor.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provided it is not", ensure the condition is clearly defined and directly relevant to the statement it modifies. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "provided it is not" when the condition actually invalidates the entire premise. Ensure the core statement remains valid even if the condition is met.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provided it is not" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that specifies an exception or limitation to the main clause. Ludwig provides many examples showing how this phrase introduces a condition that must be met for the statement to hold true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "provided it is not" serves as a conditional conjunction, introducing a stipulation that must be true for the main clause to be valid. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing with this phrase, it's essential to ensure the condition is clear, relevant, and doesn't invalidate the entire premise. Alternatives such as "as long as it isn't" or "unless it happens to be" can offer slight variations in formality and emphasis. Overall, "provided it is not" is a versatile tool for adding precision and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as long as it isn't

Uses a contraction and slightly more informal tone while maintaining the same conditional meaning.

on the condition that it's not

Emphasizes the conditionality of the statement with a slightly more formal tone, also using a contraction.

unless it happens to be

Introduces a condition that, if met, negates the main clause's validity, implying a potential exception.

except when it is

Highlights a specific exception to a general rule or statement, creating a clear boundary for applicability.

so long as it does not

Presents a formal stipulation or requirement that must be adhered to for the main action to proceed.

assuming it doesn't

Expresses an action is acceptable under a presumption with slightly less formality.

contingent on it not being

Highlights the dependence of a particular action to not being something. More formal in tone.

given that it isn't

Introduces an action as valid only if it meets certain requirements, specifically about being a certain negative state.

subject to it not being

Indicates that a particular action is only valid depending to an action not being in a certain state.

with the exception if it is

This phrase introduces a conditional exception, clearly defining a scenario where the general rule does not apply.

FAQs

How do I use "provided it is not" in a sentence?

Use "provided it is not" to introduce a condition that must be true for the main clause to also be true. For example, "You can borrow my car, "provided it is not" needed for work."

What can I say instead of "provided it is not"?

You can use alternatives like "as long as it isn't", "unless it happens to be", or "except when it is", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "provided that it is not" and "provided it is not"?

The phrase "provided that it is not" is slightly more formal than "provided it is not", but they are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning.

When is it better to use "unless" instead of "provided it is not"?

Use "unless" when introducing the only condition that would make the main clause untrue. For example, "I'll go to the party "unless" it rains," is more concise than "I'll go to the party, "provided it is not" raining."