What's the difference between if and provided?
What's the difference between if and provided?

Question

Answer

There's more to this than simply formality.

The meaning of 'provided' and 'providing' is more than simply 'if'. They mean "If AND ONLY IF".

Answer

We will let you watch TV if you wash the dishes.
We will let you watch TV provided that you wash the dishes.
.
If you get there quickly you can beat he queue.
Provided that you get there quickly you can beat the queue.

As Noah commented. Provided that is taken as more formal now.

Answer

thank you.Noah

Answer

"Provided (that)" means the same thing as "if". "Provided (that)" sound more formal to me. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/provided-that