What Is the Difference between "provided" and "providing"?
The Quick Answer
Provided and Providing
The words provided and providing are interchangeable when used to mean on condition that.Examples:
- Provided
that the weather is fine, we'll have a picnic on Saturday.
- Providing
that the weather is fine, we'll have a picnic on Saturday.
- Tony will
attend provided that Sarah is not chairing the meeting.
- The newspaper did not publish the
photographs because they were given by a confidential source who did so provided that we not release them before the elections.
No Need for That
The word that can be omitted.Examples:
- Provided
the weather is fine, we'll have a picnic on Saturday.
- Providing
the weather is fine, we'll have a picnic on Saturday.
Hot Tip
Some writers maintain that provided is preferable to providing as a conjunction meaning on condition that.
Both are acceptable. However, as some of your readers may prefer provided, it is safer to choose this option.
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