Basic Details
Word: Provided
Part of Speech: Conjunction and verb
Meaning: As a conjunction, on the condition that; only if. As a verb, the past form of provide: gave or supplied something that was needed.
Synonyms: if, as long as, supplied, gave
Antonyms: unless
Word origin: From Latin providere, to see ahead, from pro, ahead, and videre, to see.
How to Spell Provided
Syllables: pro - vid - ed
Tricky part: It is provide plus d: the e of provide is already there, so only a d is added. Students sometimes write provideed or pervided.
Watch out for: provideed, pervided, provded
Memory tip: Provided holds vid, as in video, since both come from the Latin for to see. Write provide in full, then add a single d.
Usage Examples
Example 1: You can borrow my bicycle provided you bring it back by six.
Example 2: The hotel provided towels and soap in every room.
Example 3: Our school provided free lunches during the sports camp.
Fun Fact
Providence, the capital of the US state of Rhode Island, was named by its founder Roger Williams after providence, a word from the same Latin root as provided.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word provided as used in the sentence:
We can go to the fair this evening provided that it stops raining.
a) because
b) if
c) although
d) unless
Show answer
b) if. Provided that sets a condition, and if does the same job; unless means the opposite.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
pr_v_d_d
a) a, i, e
b) o, i, e
c) u, i, e
d) o, e, e
Show answer
b) o, i, e. Write provide first, pro-vide, and then add the single d.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The camp organisers rdvoedpi tents and sleeping bags for every child.
a) provided
b) prodded
c) provoked
d) pivoted
Show answer
a) provided. Only provided holds a v and an r together with the letters i, e and two d's.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In 'You may leave early provided you finish the test', provided means ____.
a) in spite of the fact that
b) for the reason that
c) at the same time as
d) on the condition that
Show answer
d) on the condition that
2. Which sentence uses provided as a verb?
a) Provided you pay, the seat is yours.
b) Provided it is sunny, we will swim.
c) The school provided new desks.
d) You can come, provided you are quiet.
Show answer
c) The school provided new desks.
