1. to supply or make available something that is needed or wanted
提供，供應（所需之物）
The hotel provides free breakfast for all guests.
這間旅館為所有住客提供免費早餐。
The company will provide the necessary equipment.
公司將會提供必要的設備。
Provide Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
provide
verb
快速理解
What does "Provide" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Provide"?
「provide」表示供應、給予或準備某物，以滿足需求或為某種情況做準備。
- 1
供應、給予
EN: to supply or give something that is needed
翻譯: 供應或給予所需的東西
- 2
為...做準備
EN: to make preparations for a possible event or situation
翻譯: 為可能發生的事件或情況做準備
- 3
規定、條款
EN: to state a specific condition or rule in a law or agreement
翻譯: 在法律或協議中規定特定條件或規則
- 4
養活、供養
EN: to supply the necessities of life for someone
翻譯: 供應某人的生活必需品
小提醒：注意「provide」後接的介系詞：提供「某物」給「某人」是「provide something for someone」或「provide someone with something」，兩者意思相同但結構不同。
發音（How to Pronounce "Provide" in English）
How to pronounce "Provide" in English?"Provide" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Provide" from YouTube Videos
Boghuma Kabisen Titanji: Ethical riddles in HIV research
TED
“However, the best current treatment available anywhere in the world is often very difficult to provide in developing countries.”
(1 out of 76)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Provide"?How does "Provide" change by context?
2. to state or set down a rule, condition, or law
規定，訂明（規則、條件或法律）
The contract provides that payment must be made within 30 days.
合約規定款項必須在30天內支付。
The law provides for equal treatment of all citizens.
法律規定所有公民應獲得平等對待。
3. to make preparations for a possible future event or situation
為（未來可能發生的事）做準備，預備
We need to provide for our retirement.
我們需要為退休生活做準備。
Parents work hard to provide for their children's education.
父母努力工作以預備子女的教育費用。
4. to be the source of or reason for something
是…的來源；帶來，造成
The new evidence provided the breakthrough in the case.
新證據為這起案件帶來了突破。
His apology did not provide any comfort to the injured party.
他的道歉並未為受害方帶來任何安慰。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Provide"?How to make natural sentences with "Provide"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| provide + noun | 提供某物 | The company will provide all necessary equipment. (公司將提供所有必要的設備。) |
| provide + noun + for + noun/pronoun | 為某人/某物提供某物 | He provides financial support for his family. (他為家人提供經濟支持。) |
| provide + noun + to + noun/pronoun | 將某物提供給某人/某物 | The charity provides food to those in need. (該慈善機構將食物提供給有需要的人。) |
| provide + that-clause | 規定、條款說明 | The contract provides that payment must be made within 30 days. (合約規定款項必須在30天內支付。) |
| provide + against + noun | 為防範某事做準備 | We must provide against a possible economic downturn. (我們必須為可能的經濟衰退做好準備。) |
| provide + for + noun/pronoun | 供養、為…做準備 | Parents are expected to provide for their children. (父母被期望要供養他們的孩子。) |
用法說明
How is "Provide" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Provide"?
provide doing vs provide to do
- provide doing 這個結構在標準英語中幾乎不使用。
provide後面直接接動名詞 (V-ing) 來表示「提供做某事」是不正確的。 - 正確的結構是 provide something 或 provide something to someone。當要表達「提供某物以供做某事」時，通常使用 provide something for doing 或 provide something to do。
- provide to do 這個結構本身也不完整。
provide後面接不定詞 (to V) 時，前面必須有受詞，形成 provide + 受詞 + to do，意思是「提供某物來做某事」。 - 在正式或法律文件中，偶爾會看到 provide that... 的結構，引導一個子句，表示「規定...」。 EN: The company provides safety equipment for working at height. 翻譯: 公司提供高空作業用的安全裝備。
EN:The contract provides that payment must be made within 30 days.
翻譯:合約規定款項必須在30天內支付。
總結建議
使用 provide 時，最常見且安全的結構是 provide + 某物 (+ to/for + 某人)，或使用 provide + 某物 + for doing / to do 來表達用途。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Provide" and similar words?How to choose "Provide" vs alternatives?
provide vs supply
「provide」強調為特定需求或目的而給予、準備或供應，常帶有主動提供或預先準備的意味。「supply」則側重於持續、規律地提供所需物品，尤其是商品或資源，較為客觀且商業化。
provide vs offer
「provide」指實際給予或供應所需的東西，通常已確定會提供。「offer」則是主動提出給予某物（如幫助、機會、物品），但對方可以選擇接受或拒絕。
provide vs furnish
「provide」是通用詞，適用於各種提供物品、服務、資訊等的情境。「furnish」較正式，通常指提供具體物品（尤指家具、設備）或特定資訊（如證據、細節），使用範圍較窄。
口語用法
How is "Provide" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Provide"?
引述
在轉述他人的話或想法時，常用來引介對方提供的資訊或條件。 EN: He said he would provide the snacks for the party. 翻譯: 他說他會為派對提供點心。
EN:She asked if we could provide some feedback by Friday.
翻譯:她問我們是否能在週五前提供一些回饋意見。
語氣強調
與「always」、「never」等副詞連用，或使用「do」來加強語氣，表達強烈的承諾或抱怨。 EN: I do provide all the necessary documents, so I'm not sure what's missing. 翻譯: 我確實提供了所有必要的文件，所以我不清楚還缺什麼。
EN:They never provide enough notice before changing the schedule.
翻譯:他們在更改行程前從來沒有提供足夠的事先通知。
停頓填充
在思考如何接續句子時，作為暫時的填充詞，常用「provide that...」或「providing...」來爭取時間。 EN: We can help with the event, provide that... we have enough volunteers. 翻譯: 我們可以協助這次活動，前提是…我們有足夠的志工。
EN:The software is quite flexible, providing... you know, a lot of customization options.
翻譯:這個軟體相當靈活，提供了…你知道的，很多自訂選項。
正式書寫注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將「provide」用作思考停頓的填充詞。引述用法雖可接受，但通常會以更正式的方式表達，如「stated that he would provide...」。語氣強調的「do provide」在正式文中較少見，可改用「indeed provide」或直接陳述。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Provide"?What fixed phrases with "Provide" should I remember?
provide for
provide for [someone/something]
供養；為…做準備；在法律或規定中作出安排
provide with
provide [someone/something] with [something]
提供…給…
provide insight into
provide insight into [something]
提供對…的見解/深入了解
provide support
provide support (for/to)
提供支援/支持
provide evidence
provide evidence (of/for)
提供證據
provide access
provide access (to)
提供存取權/使用權；提供通道
provide a service
provide a service
提供服務
provide details
provide details (about/on)
提供細節/詳情
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Provide"?Which "Provide" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The company will provide us some information.
✓The company will provide us with some information.
當 'provide' 的受詞是接收者（如 us, them, the students）時，通常需要使用介系詞 'with' 來引導所提供的物品。
×This program provides to learn English.
✓This program provides an opportunity to learn English.
'Provide' 是及物動詞，後面必須直接接受詞（名詞或名詞片語），不能直接接動詞不定詞 'to learn'。需要加入適當的名詞（如 an opportunity, a way, a chance）作為受詞。
×We need to provide the safety of our employees.
✓We need to ensure the safety of our employees.
'Provide' 意思是「供應、給予某物」，而 'ensure' 或 'guarantee' 才是「確保、保證」某種狀態或結果。這是常見的詞義混淆。
×The hotel provides free WiFi for to all guests.
✓The hotel provides free WiFi to all guests.
使用 'provide something to someone' 的結構時，介系詞 'to' 後面直接接接收者，不需要再加 'for'。'Provide for' 有「供養、為...做準備」的意思，用在此處不正確。
×He provided that he would help us.
✓He promised that he would help us.
'Provide' 在法律或正式文件中可表示「規定」（如 The law provides that...），但在日常口語中表示「承諾」時，應使用 'promise', 'assure', 或 'agree' 等動詞。
×This tool is very provide.
✓This tool is very useful.
'Provide' 是動詞，不能直接當形容詞使用。想表達「有用的、能提供幫助的」意思，應使用形容詞如 'useful', 'helpful', 或片語 'capable of providing'。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Provide"?What are tense/participle forms of "Provide"?
provides(3rd_singular)providing(present_participle)provided(past)provided(past_participle)