providing that

USAGE SUMMARY

"providing that" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a condition for something. For example: "I will be able to attend the meeting, providing that I am able to finish my work in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's nowhere else providing that".

The Guardian

Chance of Congress providing that: dead zero.

The Guardian

"We asked them what they wanted, and we're providing that".

The New York Times

There's a high value in providing that transition path".

The Guardian - Tech

Providing that analysis 50 years later was an interesting challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

Providing that trend continues play will resume at 6pm.

Independent

Offering the data under an open license shows that you are serious about providing that opportunity.

The Guardian

"I can't imagine him or his heirs, when the time comes, not providing that," he said.

The New York Times

We believe assisted dying is an essential part of providing that choice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oral history is the only genre capable of providing that context.

The Guardian - Books

Hire a coach or enlist a friend to practice providing that answer with confidence, he advised.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "providing that", ensure the condition is clearly stated and directly relevant to the outcome. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid separating "providing that" from the condition it introduces with lengthy or complex clauses. Keep the conditional statement concise and close to the primary clause for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "providing that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a conditional clause. It specifies a condition that must be fulfilled for the main clause to be valid. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where it links a condition to an outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "providing that" is a versatile conjunction phrase used to introduce conditional clauses, primarily functioning to express a prerequisite for an action or state to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use, particularly in News & Media, Scientific, and Formal & Business contexts. While its formality ranges from neutral to formal, clarity in usage is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. For alternatives, "if", "on the condition that", and "as long as" serve as viable options depending on the desired level of formality and context. Always ensure that the condition is explicitly stated and relevant to the primary clause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the condition that

Replaces "providing that" with a more formal emphasis on the condition being met.

if

The most direct and common substitute, expressing a simple conditional statement.

only if

Emphasizes that something is exclusively dependent on a specific condition.

as long as

Indicates a duration or limitation under which something is true, similar to a continuing condition.

assuming that

Indicates a presupposition or assumption under which something is valid, similar to "providing that".

given that

Highlights a known or accepted fact that serves as the basis for a conclusion, akin to "providing that".

subject to

Highlights that something is dependent or conditional on certain factors.

contingent on

Similar to 'subject to', emphasizing the dependence of an outcome on specific conditions.

in the event that

More formal and emphasizes a possible future occurrence that serves as a condition.

with the proviso that

Introduces a specific condition or stipulation that must be met.

FAQs

How do I use "providing that" in a sentence?

Use "providing that" to introduce a condition that must be met for something else to occur. For example, "The game will continue, "providing that the weather remains fair"".

What can I say instead of "providing that"?

You can use alternatives like "if", "on the condition that", or "as long as" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "providing that" versus "if"?

Yes, "providing that" is generally considered more formal than a simple "if". It's suitable for professional or academic writing where a higher degree of formality is preferred.

What's the difference between "providing that" and "assuming that"?

"Providing that" implies a condition that must be actively met, while "assuming that" implies a presupposition. You use "providing that" when something needs to happen; you use "assuming that" when something is already believed to be true.