provided that the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "provided that the" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to introduce a condition that must be met for something to happen. Example: "You can attend the meeting provided that the report is completed." Alternative expressions include "as long as," "on the condition that," and "if."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Provided that the marshals were standing by.

The New York Times

That's provided that the illusion is all encompassing.

The New York Times

"We are ready to seek to conclude negotiations in 2016 provided that the substance is right".

The Guardian - Business

Significantly, the act specifically provided that the definition extended to "action outside the UK".

The Guardian

provided that the freeze was a first step toward full elimination of the nuclear program.

The New York Times

Bradley was secretly considering paying the ransom himself, provided that the prisoner demand could be dropped.

The New Yorker

The plea agreement provided that the government would not seek the maximum sentence.

The New York Times

CP violation implied nonconservation of T, provided that the long-held CPT theorem was valid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of course, this is provided that the trip and insurance were bought before the advice changed.

Independent

Provided that the East Asian governments take sensible measures, these economies can return to strong growth.

The Economist

The Labour government is for joining, provided that the economic conditions are favourable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "provided that the" to introduce a specific condition that must be satisfied for a particular outcome to occur. This structure clearly establishes a dependency between two events or situations.

Common error

Ensure the verb tense following "provided that the" correctly reflects the timing of the condition. Avoid using future tenses when the condition refers to a present or past state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provided that the" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a condition upon which the main clause depends. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is widely recognized and grammatically sound, setting a prerequisite for the action or state described in the main clause. Example: 'The agreement is valid, provided that the terms are met'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provided that the" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce conditions for an event or statement to be valid. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in formal contexts such as science, news, and encyclopedic entries. Alternatives like "on the condition that" and "as long as" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Remember to use it to show a clear dependency between actions, avoiding common tense errors for clarity. With "provided that the", you enable well-defined relationships between events, improving the precision and clarity of your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the condition that

This alternative directly replaces "provided that" with a more formal expression indicating a specific requirement.

subject to the condition that

This phrase adds a layer of formality, emphasizing a binding requirement.

as long as

This alternative is more informal but maintains the conditional meaning of "provided that".

contingent on the fact that

This option highlights that the outcome depends on a specific fact being true.

only if

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way to express the necessary condition.

if and only if

This alternative emphasizes a stricter condition, where the event occurs precisely when the condition is met.

assuming that

This alternative presents the condition as a presupposition or hypothesis.

in the event that

This alternative specifies the condition as a potential future occurrence.

given that

This alternative frames the condition as an established fact or circumstance.

with the understanding that

This suggests an agreement or implied condition, making it suitable for situations involving mutual expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "provided that the" in a sentence?

Use "provided that the" to introduce a condition that must be met for something else to occur. For example: "The experiment will proceed, "provided that the" funding is secured."

What are some alternatives to "provided that the"?

Alternatives include phrases like "on the condition that", "as long as", or "if and only if", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "provided that the" and "assuming that the"?

"Provided that the" typically implies a more formal or established condition, whereas "assuming that the" suggests a presupposition or hypothesis being taken as true.

Can "provided that the" be used in informal writing?

While "provided that the" is generally suitable for formal contexts, it can also be used in informal writing where a clear and explicit condition needs to be stated. More informal alternatives include as long as or "if".