provisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "provisions" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally refers to supplies or items that are necessary for a particular purpose. For example, "We need to stock up on provisions before our camping trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Travel

Opinion

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The court held that, in their operation with respect to the challenged funding agreement and the challenged payments made under that agreement, none of the challenged provisions is a valid law of the commonwealth," the high court said in a judgment summary.

The Guardian

The Trans Pacific Partnership, although billed as a trade agreement, includes provisions on intellectual property and copyright that are usually outside the boundaries of trade, critics say.

The Guardian - Business

"Similar provisions in the TPP that will prevent whistleblowers and journalists from accessing or 'disclosing' trade secrets through a computer system," Sutton says.

The Guardian - Business

TPP has provisions that make it a crime to break these locks, and to do things that aren't even copyright infringement.

The Guardian - Business

Those powers expired with key provisions of the Patriot Act at 12.01am on Monday amid a showdown between defense hawks and civil liberties advocates.

The Guardian

Our view is that... any further provisions are limited".

The Guardian - Business

The whole day's provisions were stored in a Tupperware container and in a Kwik Save carrier bag.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Groundless anti-terror laws must go | Letters Many peers expressed concern, but when highlighting aspects of this invasive control of our universities, schools, and national institutions they seemed quite unaware that its provisions (through the Prevent policy, set up in 2011) are already having lethal effects across the country, closing down public space where freedom lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asked whether the rejection of bulk collection by Congress and the courts meant it was now time to review official US attitudes to Snowden, Rand Paul, the Republican presidential candidate who played a key role in ensuring the Patriot Act provisions expired on Sunday night, declined to comment.

The Guardian

The World Heritage provisions of Australia's federal environmental laws provide these protections, ensure the national interest is pursued in decision-making, and make sure the national government is able to meet its obligations under the World Heritage Convention," Henry wrote on the day the Queensland and federal governments signed the MOU.

The Guardian

Are these provisions of the Patriot Act gone forever?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For informal and creative writing, you can replace "provisions" with "supplies".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "provision" when referring to multiple clauses or conditions within a document. Use "provisions" to accurately reflect the plural context. Example: "The agreement contains several key "provisions" not "provision".

Linguistic Context

The word "provisions" primarily functions as a noun, referring to either specific clauses or terms within legal documents or to a collection of necessary supplies. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Opinion

8%

Lifestyle

7%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "provisions" is a versatile noun with two primary meanings: specific clauses or terms within agreements and a collection of necessary supplies. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical correctness is strong, and it's frequently used in both formal and informal contexts. When writing, be mindful of the specific context to ensure the correct meaning is conveyed, using alternative phrases like "stipulations" or "supplies" as needed. Pay attention to the plural form, especially in legal contexts, to maintain accuracy. This analysis, combined with insights from Ludwig, offers a complete understanding of how to effectively use "provisions" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supplies

Focuses on the material goods needed, often in a general sense.

arrangements

Emphasizes the planned or organized aspects.

stipulations

Highlights specific conditions or requirements within an agreement.

terms

Refers to the specific conditions of an agreement or contract.

clauses

Specifically refers to sections within a legal document.

foodstuffs

Specifically refers to food and drink supplies.

food supply

Focuses on the availability and source of food.

food stock

Stresses on the quantity of the food.

food rations

Highlights a controlled distribution of food, especially in times of scarcity.

grocery

Refers to the items sold in a grocery store.

FAQs

How to use "provisions" in a sentence?

You can use "provisions" to refer to specific clauses or terms in a legal document, such as "The contract's "terms" outline the responsibilities of each party". It can also be used to refer to supplies, as in, "We packed essential "supplies" for the journey".

What can I say instead of "provisions"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "supplies" when referring to necessities, "stipulations" when referring to conditions, or "arrangements" when referring to plans.

Is "provisions" a formal word?

"Provisions" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it often refers to clauses or terms in legal documents. In informal settings, it can refer to general "supplies" or necessities.

What's the difference between "provision" and "provisions"?

"Provision" is the singular form, referring to a single clause, term, or item. "Provisions" is the plural form, referring to multiple clauses, terms, or items. For example, "One key "clause" of the contract is the confidentiality provision, which outlines various terms".