Provided that

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pedrina

#526378 Thu, 12 Jun 08 03:23 PM

Is it possible to use "provided that" for sentences in the simple past? If it is possible, do we have to use the sentence with both verbs in the same tense? I know it works as a conditional sentence but it sounds strange to me in the past. How could I complete the following sentence?

"Provided that it rained everyday, .........."

pedrina

Joined on Thu, Jun 12 2008

New Member (04)

Conditionals, provided, Simple past, Tenses, Verbs

Anonymous

#526399 Thu, 12 Jun 08 04:06 PM

"Provided that" is almost the same as "if". Anything you can say with "If it rained every day", you can do the same with "Provided..."

Anonymous

CalifJim

#526423 Thu, 12 Jun 08 05:49 PM

pedrina
Is it possible to use "provided that" for sentences in the simple past?

Yes, but it's not as common as the present. The provided that clause normally occurs after the main clause.

The government decided to allow the researchers to continue provided that their projects were fully funded by the private sector.

The farmers believed that they might still obtain a good harvest provided that it rained every day for the rest of the season.

Tom was permitted to use any of the tools in the workshop provided that he returned them to their proper place after using them.

as long as may substitute for provided that.

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (16,496)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Clauses, Simple past

pedrina

#526869 Fri, 13 Jun 08 03:15 PM

Thank you CJ,

It was a question in a test that I gave to my students. After reading your reply, I asked the teacher who made this question to rewrite it in a more adequate way.

pedrina

CalifJim

#526939 Fri, 13 Jun 08 05:53 PM

pedrina
After reading your reply, I asked the teacher who made this question to rewrite it in a more adequate way.

Good idea!

CalifJim

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