Provided that

Advanced Chunks – Category 3

Meaning

A condition must be met for something to happen.

Primary Function

introducing a necessary condition

Communicative Purpose

to specify a requirement for the main statement to be true

Pattern

Provided that

Core Structure

Provided that

Função primária

introducing a necessary condition

Propósito comunicativo

to specify a requirement for the main statement to be true

Situações de gatilho

negotiations, agreements, formal discussions

Contextos

formal writing, professional conversations, academic texts

Padrão

Provided that

Estrutura central

Provided that

Slots de substituição

the word 'that' can be omitted, and 'provided' can be replaced with 'providing' in informal contexts

Colocados típicos

we can
you are
it is possible

Substituições comuns

As long as
So long as
On condition that

Erros comuns

using 'Provided if'

Similar / contraste

Unless, If and only if

Interferências

Adding 'that' with 'if' (e.g., *Provided if the terms are accepted*).

Família do chunk

conditional conjunctive frames

Nuance

polite but strict condition

Efeito pragmático

clarifies terms and reduces ambiguity

Dica de memória

condition met

Nota

Ensure the condition follows the conjunction and the main clause expresses the consequence.

Upgrade path

from "If" → "On condition that" → "Provided that"

Frequência: HighFormulaicidade: Semi-fixedTipo de construção: Sentence framePrioridade de aquisição: Recognition firstPrioridade de output: BothTag de espaçamento: Short-term

Examples

Provided that the terms are accepted, the contract will be signed.

The project can proceed provided that the necessary funds are allocated.

You will receive a refund provided that you return the item in its original condition.

Variations

"Providing that" (common spoken); "Provided" alone sometimes