providing food

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "providing food" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of supplying or delivering food to someone or a group, often in contexts related to hospitality, nutrition, or events. Example: "The organization is dedicated to providing food for the homeless in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The school was providing food to residents.

The New York Times

Almost everywhere, providing food raises school attendance, particularly for girls.

The New York Times

It's not just about providing food locally; we have to design programmes that really support livelihoods".

The Guardian

"They are providing food for a standard World Food Programme five heads per household.

The Guardian

Humanitarian groups do much that the French authorities will not, including providing food and basic necessities.

The New York Times

We are providing food and fibre for every citizen on the planet".

The Guardian

"Police officers are providing food and water to those who need it," he added.

The Guardian

Churches and charities, in principle, could be penalized for providing food or shelter.

The New Yorker

People in York have been very supportive, providing food for the food bank.

The Guardian

Mercy Corps works to provide those basic needs, providing food, water, language skills and emergency relief.

The Guardian

Aid groups face the same daunting logistics in providing food and shelter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about aid organizations, use "providing food" to highlight their direct efforts in addressing hunger and nutritional needs. For example, "The charity is dedicated to "providing food" to underserved communities".

Common error

While "providing food" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal documents like research papers or legal briefs. Consider stronger verbs such as "supplying", "distributing", or "allocating" to convey more precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "providing food" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a larger verb phrase. It describes the action of making food available, as exemplified by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "providing food" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to describe the action of supplying sustenance. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register that makes it widely applicable. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "supplying sustenance" or "furnishing meals" in certain contexts. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for describing aid efforts, logistical operations, and basic need fulfillment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplying sustenance

Focuses on the act of nourishing and maintaining life, rather than just giving food.

offering nourishment

Emphasizes the beneficial and healthful aspect of the food being provided.

furnishing meals

Implies a more structured and regular provision of food, often as part of a service.

distributing rations

Suggests a systematic allocation of food, often in emergency or controlled situations.

delivering groceries

Focuses on the act of transporting food items, typically for personal consumption.

catering meals

Implies providing food for a special event or gathering, often on a commercial basis.

dispensing victuals

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying providing food, highlighting the substance of the meal.

administering edibles

Suggests a careful and controlled distribution of food, possibly in a medical or experimental context.

affording sustenance

Highlights the ability or resources to provide food, focusing on the means rather than the action.

making food available

Highlights the act of ensuring that food is accessible or procurable.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "providing food"?

More formal alternatives include "supplying sustenance" or "furnishing meals", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "providing food" in a sentence?

You can use "providing food" to describe an action or service. For example, "The organization focuses on "providing food" for the homeless."

Is it correct to say "providing food and shelter"?

Yes, "providing food and shelter" is a common and grammatically correct phrase. It's often used to describe basic humanitarian aid.

What is the difference between "providing food" and "distributing food"?

"Providing food" is a broader term that encompasses any means of making food available. "Distributing food", on the other hand, specifically implies a systematic or organized allocation process.