LoginProvide vs. Supply
These two verbs are closely related but they differ in the scope of their meaning. Follow the lesson to learn about their difference.
Both 'provide' and 'supply' mean to give someone something they want or need, or to make it available to them. However, 'supply' usually implies a regular act of making something available over a long period of time and in large quantities, while 'provide' is a more general term. This lesson will clarify the difference between these two verbs.
Difference in Scope
'Provide' generally means to give or make available something that is needed or desired. It involves offering something to fulfill a requirement, meet a need, or offer assistance. 'Provide' emphasizes the act of giving or making something accessible for use or consumption. 'Supply' also means to offer something, but it often implies a continuous or ongoing provision of large quantities of goods, resources, or services. 'Supply' emphasizes a steady flow or availability of something, often in response to demand or to meet requirements.
The company will
The organization
The factory
The government is working to
'Supply' is not concerned with a one-time act of offering an item or service, it is continuous.
Tip!
You either provide/supply something to someone or provide/supply someone with something. 'Provide' and 'supply' are both ditransitive verbs that take a noun phrase and a prepositional phrase as direct and indirect objects. Take a look at the examples:
The organization provides educational resources
The organization provides underprivileged children
The store supplies the neighborhood
The store supplies fresh products
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