[content_band style=”color: #222;” class=”cat-food” bg_color=”#ffffff” border=”horizontal” inner_container=”true”] [container] [column type=”1/6″][/column] [column type=”5/6″ last=”true”]

As Long As vs. Provided (Providing)

[/column] [/container]

Common mistakes

  1. (NG) As long it’s not raining, we can go to the beach.
    1. (OK) As long as it’s not raining, we can go to the beach.
  2. (NG) Provided to it’s not raining, we can go to the beach.
    1. (OK) Provided it’s not raining, we can go to the beach.

Grammar words and phrases in context

The company has announced a new dress policy for casual Fridays. As long as you look neat and clean and providing that you do not have an appointment with a customer, you can wear casual clothes on Fridays.

 As long as

As long as is used as a conjunction to show a condition. As long as has a similar meaning to if. As long as can come at the beginning or middle of the sentence. When using as long as at the beginning, separate the clauses with a comma.

  1. As long as it’s not raining, we can go to the beach. (or) We can go to the beach as long as it’s not raining.
  2. You can pick up that antique doll as long as you are careful with it.
  3. As long as I can hear the music, I don’t really care where I sit at the concert.

Provided / Providing

Provided and providing are also used as conjunctions to show a condition. There is no difference between provided and providing, and these words are a more formal version of as long as. In formal English writing and speaking, provided and providing can be followed by that.

  1. Provided (that) it’s not raining, we can go to the beach. (or) We can go to the beach providing it’s not raining.
  2. You can pick up that antique doll providing (that) you are careful with it.
  3. Provided (that) I can hear the music, I don’t really care where I sit at the concert.

By the way, in casual American English, as long as is used in a similar way as since. However, providing is not used in this way.

  1. As long as you’re coming to New York, let’s get together for dinner.
  2. As long as we are in the mall, let’s see if we can find a nice present for Jack’s birthday.
  3. As long as you are cleaning out the garage, you might as well clean out the storage shed too.

[custom_headline type=”center” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true”]Now, try this review quiz[/custom_headline]


[/content_band]