虽然 providing 和 provided 形式上为动词provide的现在分词和过去分词,但它们均可用作连词,引导条件状语从句,其意为“只要”(=as long as)、“如果”(=if)等。如:
Providing [Provided] you clear your desk by this evening, you can have tomorrow off. 只要你到今晚把案头上的工作做完,你明天就可以休息。
Providing [Providing] you promise not to tell anyone else. I’11 explain the secret. 只要你保证不告诉任何人,我就把这个秘密讲给你听。
Provided [Providing] that you keep quiet, you can come to the concert. 只要你保持安静,你就可以去听音乐会。
Providing there is no opposition, we shall hold the meeting here. 如果没人反对我们将在这里开会。
这类从句通常置于主句之前,但置于主句之后也是可能的。如:
I will stay here provided [providing] the climate agrees with me. 如果这里的气候合适的话,我就待下来。
You can borrow my bike providing [provided] you bring it back. 你可以借我的自行车,只要你还给我。