Meaning & use
provides
Last updated
“provides” is a form of “provide”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Third person singular of provide: gives or supplies something that someone needs.
Grammar: Takes an object: provides food, provides help.
Patterns
- provides something for someone
- provides someone with something
The school provides lunch for every student.
She provides her clients with clear advice.
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verbtransitiveformal
Third person singular of provide: states in a law or contract that something will happen or is allowed.
Grammar: Often followed by that: the rule provides that all fees are refundable.
Patterns
- provides that something
The contract provides that payment is due within thirty days.
The law provides for equal pay.
The agreement provides that either side may cancel.
verbintransitive
Third person singular of provide: prepares or makes arrangements for a future need.
Grammar: Used with for: provides for the future.
Patterns
- provides for someone
- provides against something
He provides for his three children.
The plan provides for emergencies.
She saves each month to provide for her old age.
Word forms
| base form | provide |
|---|---|
| past tense | provided |
| -ing form | providing |
Common combinations
- provides information
- The guide provides information about local hotels.
- provides support
- The charity provides support to families.
- provides an opportunity
- The trip provides an opportunity to practice English.
- provides a service
- The company provides a delivery service.
- provides shelter
- The cave provides shelter from the rain.
Synonyms and how they differ
- supplies
- Supplies suggests handing over goods or materials in quantity, while provides is wider.
- gives
- Gives is simpler and more personal, while provides sounds more formal.
- offers
- Offers means making something available without necessarily handing it over.
- furnishes
- Furnishes is formal and often used for supplying information or rooms.
Opposites
Word family
- provider noun
- a person or company that supplies something
- provision noun
- the act of supplying, or a condition in a contract
- provided conjunction
- on the condition that
- providence noun
- care or protection, especially by fate
Commonly confused: provides or provides for? provides or provisions?
provides vs provides for
Provides for means to take care of someone's needs, which differs from provides something.
provides vs provisions
Provisions are supplies of food, unlike the verb provides.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
With a singular subject in the present simple, the verb takes -s: provides. The other options have the wrong form or tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “provides”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.