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Meaning & use

no provision

phrase·Academicformallegallaw

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UK/ˌnəʊ prəˈvɪʒn/
US/ˌnoʊ prəˈvɪʒn/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phraseformallegallaw

    A situation in which a law, contract, or plan does not include a rule, arrangement, or supply for something.

    Grammar: Often followed by 'for' plus a noun or by 'that' plus a clause: no provision for refugees; no provision that allows this.

    Patterns

    • no provision for something
    • no provision that ...
    • make no provision for something

    The new law makes no provision for part-time workers.

    There is no provision in the contract for early payment.

    The budget contains no provision that would cover emergency repairs.

  2. phrasefixed phraseformal

    The absence of any arrangement or preparation for a future need.

    Grammar: Used more generally than the legal sense; often in the phrase 'make no provision for'.

    Patterns

    • make no provision for something
    • no provision for the future

    They made no provision for the extra costs of moving.

    The report criticizes the government for making no provision for rising energy demand.

Common combinations

make no provision for
The school made no provision for students with disabilities.
no provision in the contract
There is no provision in the contract for overtime pay.
no provision for
The treaty has no provision for withdrawing.
no provision that
The bill contains no provision that protects renters.
statutory provision
The court found no statutory provision supporting the claim.

Synonyms and how they differ

no arrangement
More general and less formal; it can refer to any kind of plan, not just a legal or official rule.
no clause
Used specifically for a section in a legal document; 'no provision' is broader and can also mean no supply or preparation.
no stipulation
Very formal and legal; it means no condition is stated, while 'no provision' can also mean no practical arrangement.

Opposites

provisionstipulation

Word family

provide verb
To give or supply something that is needed.
provision noun
A rule, arrangement, or supply, especially in a law or contract.
provisional adjective
Arranged or agreed for the present but likely to change.
provider noun
A person or organization that supplies something.

Commonly confused: no provision or not provided? no provision or no provisions?

no provision vs not provided

'Not provided' simply means something was not given. 'No provision' is more formal and suggests that no rule or arrangement exists at all.

no provision vs no provisions

'Provisions' as a plural noun often means food and supplies. 'No provision' (uncountable in this phrase) refers to a rule or arrangement.

Practice

The lease makes no provision ___ repairs to the roof.

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