Conditional vs. Provisional: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Conditional pertains to something reliant on specific requirements or stipulations, while provisional refers to something temporary, pending a final arrangement.
Key Differences
Conditional typically means subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met; it’s often used in contexts where compliance with certain terms is necessary. Provisional, on the other hand, suggests a temporary or interim status, used until something more permanent is established.
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Nov 27, 2023
A conditional arrangement is contingent upon certain factors or conditions being fulfilled. For instance, a job offer might be conditional on passing a background check. Provisional arrangements are more about providing a temporary solution or status, like a provisional government formed during a transition period.
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The term conditional often implies a sense of uncertainty, where the final outcome is dependent on specific criteria being met. In contrast, provisional suggests a period of transition or a stopgap measure, implying that it’s a placeholder until a more definitive solution or status is achieved.
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In a legal or contractual context, conditional can refer to terms that become effective only when certain conditions are met. Provisional in such contexts often relates to temporary measures or arrangements that are subject to change.
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Conditional can be seen in various scenarios, from conditional love in relationships to conditional clauses in programming. Provisional typically appears in more formal or organizational contexts, like provisional licenses or provisional agreements.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Dependent on certain conditions or stipulations.
Temporary, pending a final arrangement.
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Usage Context
Often used where compliance with terms is necessary.
Used for temporary solutions or interim statuses.
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Implication
Implies uncertainty, dependent on criteria.
Suggests transition or a stopgap measure.
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Application
In legal terms, conditions for effectiveness.
In formal contexts, temporary measures or statuses.
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Common Scenarios
Conditional love, clauses in programming.
Provisional licenses, agreements during transition.
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Conditional and Provisional Definitions
Conditional
Subject to specific requirements being met.
His acceptance to the college was conditional upon his exam results.
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Provisional
A stopgap measure until something more permanent is established.
The committee formed a provisional plan for the project's early stages.
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Conditional
Reliant on certain conditions for fulfillment.
The conditional warranty covers defects under specific terms.
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Provisional
Awaiting a more definite arrangement or decision.
The treaty was signed on a provisional basis pending further negotiation.
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Conditional
An arrangement that depends on certain factors.
The contract was conditional on both parties' agreement.
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Provisional
Used during a period of transition.
The provisional government led the country through its period of reform.
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Conditional
Affection dependent on meeting certain expectations.
He struggled with the idea of conditional love from his parents.
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Provisional
Serving as a temporary solution.
The government issued a provisional license while processing the permanent one.
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Provisional
Initial approval subject to final confirmation.
The drug received provisional approval from the regulatory agency.
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Provisional
Provisional Of or relating to any of the extremist factions of the Irish Republican Army established in 1970.
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Conditional
A mood, tense, clause, word, or morpheme expressing a condition. See Usage Note at if.
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Provisional
A person hired temporarily for a job, typically before having taken an examination qualifying the person for permanent employment
Fire department provisionals.
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Conditional
Limited by a condition.
I made my son a conditional promise: I would buy him a bike if he kept his room tidy.
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Provisional
A temporary stamp that is used before the official issue is released.
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Conditional
(logic) Stating that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional statement.
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Provisional
Provisional A member of a Provisional faction of the Irish Republican Army.
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Conditional
(grammar) Expressing a condition or supposition.
A conditional word, mode, or tense
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Provisional
Temporary, but with the intention of eventually becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent.
Marsden and Jones were named in the provisional squad for the European Championships, to be confirmed before the 30 June deadline.
The provisional date for the wedding is April 2, but it is subject to confirmation at the church.
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Conditional
(grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.
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Provisional
(philately) A postage stamp issued locally before an official issue is released.
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Conditional
(logic) A statement that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional.
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Provisional
Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the time being; - used of partial or temporary arrangements; as, a provisional government; a provisional treaty.
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Conditional
(programming) An instruction that branches depending on the truth of a condition at that point.
if and while are conditionals in some programming languages.Shumaila Saeed
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Provisional
Under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon;
Probationary employees
A provisional government
Just a tentative schedule
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Conditional
Containing, implying, or depending on, a condition or conditions; not absolute; made or granted on certain terms; as, a conditional promise.
Every covenant of God with man . . . may justly be made (as in fact it is made) with this conditional punishment annexed and declared.
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Conditional
Expressing a condition or supposition; as, a conditional word, mode, or tense.
A conditional proposition is one which asserts the dependence of one categorical proposition on another.
The words hypothetical and conditional may be . . . used synonymously.
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Conditional
A conditional word, mode, or proposition.
Disjunctives may be turned into conditionals.
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Conditional
Imposing or depending on or containing a condition;
Conditional acceptance of the terms
Lent conditional support
The conditional sale will not be complete until the full purchase price is paid
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Conditional
In grammar or programming, a clause that expresses a condition.
In programming, a conditional statement controls the flow of execution.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is a provisional license the same as a full license?
No, a provisional license is a temporary license, often with restrictions, granted until a full license is obtained.
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What does provisional mean in legal terms?
In legal terms, provisional refers to temporary measures or arrangements pending a final decision.
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Can a conditional clause be part of a contract?
Yes, a contract can include conditional clauses that specify terms that become effective under certain conditions.
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What is a conditional offer?
A conditional offer is an agreement that becomes valid only if certain conditions are met.
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How does conditional love affect relationships?
Conditional love, where affection is dependent on meeting certain criteria, can lead to strained and unstable relationships.
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What is a provisional ballot in elections?
A provisional ballot is used in elections when a voter's eligibility is uncertain, to be verified and counted later.
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What makes an agreement provisional?
An agreement is provisional when it serves as a temporary arrangement pending a more permanent or definitive agreement.
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How is a conditional sentence used in grammar?
A conditional sentence in grammar expresses a condition and its probable result.
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What are the risks of accepting a provisional job offer?
Accepting a provisional job offer can be risky if the final offer isn't guaranteed or if terms might change.
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What is a provisional patent?
A provisional patent provides temporary protection for an invention, allowing time to file a full patent application.
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Why do parents sometimes show conditional love?
Parents may show conditional love due to their own upbringing, expectations, or belief in motivating through conditions.
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Can conditional relationships be healthy?
Conditional relationships, where support is contingent on certain behaviors, are often seen as less healthy due to their lack of unconditional support.
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What is a provisional diagnosis in medicine?
A provisional diagnosis is an initial diagnosis based on current symptoms and information, subject to change with more data.
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Is a conditional acceptance binding?
A conditional acceptance is binding only if and when the specified conditions are met.
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Are conditional statements common in programming?
Yes, conditional statements are fundamental in programming, allowing for decision-making based on certain conditions.
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Can conditions in a conditional offer be negotiated?
Often, the conditions in a conditional offer can be negotiated, depending on the terms and the parties involved.
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How do provisional measures work in international law?
In international law, provisional measures are temporary rulings to prevent harm or prejudice while a case is being decided.
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Can provisional arrangements be made permanent?
Yes, provisional arrangements can be made permanent if they prove effective or if further negotiations lead to a final agreement.
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Can conditional clauses be found in everyday language?
Yes, conditional clauses are common in everyday language, often in "if-then" statements.
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Does provisional mean the same as temporary?
Yes, provisional generally means temporary, serving as an interim solution.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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