"Provide" is a commonly used transitive verb in English, meaning “to give or supply”. In this article, IDP will help you understand which prepositions are used with provide and how to apply them correctly.
Using verbs with the right prepositions can be challenging for English learners, and provide is a good example. Although it is a familiar verb, its meaning and usage can vary depending on the preposition it is used with. Let’s explore the different structures and prepositions that go with provide in English.
1. What Does Provide Mean?
Provide is a transitive verb widely used in both daily conversation and formal contexts. It means to supply something to someone in order to meet their needs. It can also refer to creating conditions for something to happen or stating specific rules or provisions.
Example:
The book provides thorough explanations of the city’s historical sites.
2. Common Provide Structures in English
Choosing the right preposition with provide is important as each combination expresses a different meaning. Here are the most common structures:
Provide (something) for somebody
Used to indicate supplying something necessary to someone.
Structure:
S + provide (something) for + somebody
Example:
The charity provides books and school supplies for children in remote areas.
When followed by a noun indicating a situation, provide for can also mean planning or preparing for something that may happen, especially a negative event.
Example:
They built strong walls to provide for possible flooding during the rainy season.
In legal or contractual contexts, provide for can mean to stipulate or set forth conditions.
Example:
The new law provides for stricter penalties for traffic violations.
Provide something to somebody
This structure is used to show the act of giving something to someone, especially in formal or written English.
Structure:
S + provide + something + to + somebody
Example:
The organization provides scholarships to outstanding students.
Provide somebody with something
Used when talking about giving someone something they need at a specific time.
Structure:
S + provide + somebody + with + something
Example:
The app provides users with real-time weather updates.
Provide against something
Used to describe taking action to prevent or prepare for a negative situation.
Structure:
S + provide against + something
Example:
We should provide against unexpected expenses.
Provided that / Providing that
These expressions are used to introduce a condition, meaning “as long as” or “on the condition that.”
Structure:
S + V, provided that / providing that + S + V
Provided that / Providing that + S + V, S + V
Examples:
You can borrow the book, provided that you return it by next week.
Providing that you finish your assignment on time, you can leave early.
Notes:
Use a comma between the condition and the main clause.
“Providing that” is more common in spoken English, while “provided that” is preferred in writing.
3. What Prepositions Go with Provide?
Here is a summary of common prepositions used with provide, along with their meanings and examples:
Structure | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
Provide + for | Support or supply something to someone in need | Mavis works tirelessly to provide for her aging parents. |
Provide + to | Deliver something to someone | The teacher provided instructions to the students before the exam. |
Provide + with | Supply someone with something needed | The organization provided the refugees with warm clothing. |
Provide + against | Prepare for something undesirable | The government is taking measures to provide against future blackouts. |
4. Practice Exercises with Provide (With Answers)
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.
The hotel provided each guest _______ a complimentary breakfast.
She volunteered to provide transportation _______ elderly residents.
Can you provide me _______ more information about this project?
The new law aims to provide better protection _______ online privacy.
They provided shelter _______ the homeless during the storm.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences using “provided that” or “providing that.”
You can borrow my car, as long as you return it by tomorrow.
We will go on the picnic if the weather is good.
I will lend you the money on the condition that you pay me back next week.
She will be allowed to participate in the competition, only if she meets the age requirement.
He can stay at our house, so long as he helps with the chores.
Answer Key
Exercise 1:
with
for
with
for
for
Exercise 2:
You can borrow my car, provided that you return it by tomorrow.
We will go on the picnic, providing that the weather is good.
I will lend you the money, provided that you pay me back next week.
She will be allowed to participate in the competition, provided that she meets the age requirement.
He can stay at our house, providing that he helps with the chores.
Master English Grammar with IDP
Now you know how to use provide with different prepositions correctly. Practice regularly to build confidence in speaking and writing English accurately.
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