Provided that means “on condition that” or “only if”. It introduces a condition without which the main event won't happen. It sounds formal: it is used in rules, contracts and essays, while in conversation people more often say as long as or simply if.
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clause + provided (that) + present simple; Provided (that) + clause, + main clause; providing (that) + clause
- You can bring a friend to the workshop, provided that you register them by Friday.
- Provided that the train is on time, we'll reach the hotel before dinner.
- Working from home can boost productivity, provided employees have a quiet place to work.
What changed
First versionWe'll have the party in the garden provided that the weather will be good.
RevisionWe'll have the party in the garden provided that the weather is good.
The sentence is about the future, so will seems logical here. But after provided that, as after if, the future is expressed with the present tense. Will be was replaced with is.
If simply states a condition, while provided that stresses that nothing will happen without it. In meaning, it is almost the same as as long as, but it sounds stricter: Customers will get a full refund provided that they return the goods within 14 days. That can be left out: provided you pay on time. The form providing (that) means the same and sounds slightly less formal.
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Students may use a dictionary in the exam ___ it is a paper one with no notes inside.
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provided that — A dictionary is allowed on one condition only: it must be a paper one with no notes. A condition without which there is no permission is introduced by provided that. In case means “as a precaution, because something might happen”, and here nobody is preparing for anything in advance.
Imagine you are renting out a flat or a room. Write one rule for tenants with provided that: what they are allowed to do and on what condition.
Tenants may keep a cat or a small dog, provided that they pay an extra deposit of 200 pounds.
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