Cool MateClause vs Condition vs Provision vs Section vs Stipulation
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Clause
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Condition
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Provision
Top 3,000 (common)C1noun
Section
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Stipulation
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Stipulation
| Clause | Condition | Provision | Section | Stipulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/klɔːz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/klɔːz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈdɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈdɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/prəˈvɪʒn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prəˈvɪʒn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsekʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsekʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˌstɪp.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən//🇺🇸 //ˌstɪp.jəˈleɪ.ʃən// |
| Meaning | A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. | A state or situation that must be met or that affects something. | A supply or arrangement for future needs. | A part of something, like a piece of a whole. | A condition or requirement in an agreement. |
| Example | In legal terms, a clause is a distinct provision in a contract. | The condition of the car was poor after the long trip. | The provision of clean water is essential for the health of the community. | Please complete the form and sign in the designated section. | The contract included a stipulation that all payments be made in advance. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 | C1 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | main, subordinate, conditional, in a/the clause, confidentiality, indemnity, penalty, contain, have, add, in a/the clause, under a/the clause, clause on | excellent, good, immaculate, assess, evaluate, in… condition, critical, serious, stable, get better, improve, deteriorate, assess, monitor, in a… condition, in… condition, out of condition, be in no condition to do something, medical, life-threatening, serious, have, suffer from, be born with, favourable/favorable, good, ideal, live in, work in, work under, exist, persist, prevail, in condition, under condition, favourable/favorable, good, ideal, live in, work in, work under, exist, persist, prevail, in condition, under condition, strict, special, attach, impose, lay down, apply, on condition that, on… condition, under… condition, a breach of a condition, conditions of employment, sale, etc., terms and conditions, necessary, sufficient, create, condition for, human, improve | federal, private, state, provision of, full, adequate, detailed, make, contain, include, apply, allow something, require something, provision against, provision for, buy, stock up on, stock up with, full, adequate, detailed, make, contain, include, apply, allow something, require something, provision against, provision for | opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society | contract stipulation, specific stipulation, legal stipulation |
| Antonyms | independent clause | disorder, chaos, confusion | deprivation, deficit | whole, entirety | withdrawal, disregard |
| Common mistakes | Confused 'clause' with 'clause of action'., Using 'clause' as a verb instead of a noun., Not recognizing dependent vs independent clauses. | Confused with 'conditions' as in multiple situations., Used incorrectly with verbs that don't match its meaning., Omitting the context, like 'condition of' instead of just 'condition'. | Confused with 'provisions' as just food supplies., Used 'provision' when 'provide' is needed., Misunderstood as a verb instead of a noun. | Using 'section' instead of 'segment' in the context of a physical object., Confusing 'section' with 'sectional' when describing furniture., Adding unnecessary plural forms like 'sections' when referring to a single part. | Confusing with 'illustration' as both seem related to agreements., Using in informal contexts where simpler terms are suitable. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in academic, legal, or formal writing. Be careful not to confuse it with 'phrase,' which does not have both a subject and a verb. | Used in both everyday conversation and formal settings. More formal when discussing health or legal matters, while informal uses may be seen in everyday discussions about preferences. | Use 'provision' when discussing supplies, especially in a formal context like law or business. It's less common in casual conversations. | Use 'section' when referring to a distinct part of a whole, such as a chapter in a book or a part of a document. Avoid using it in contexts where a more specific term could be clearer. | Used in legal, formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversation. It helps clarify terms in agreements. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Clause vs Condition vs Provision vs Section vs Stipulation
What's the difference between Clause, Condition, Provision, Section, and Stipulation?
Clause: A group of words with a subject and a verb that is part of a sentence. Condition: A state or situation that must be met or that affects something. Provision: A supply or arrangement for future needs. Section: A part of something, like a piece of a whole. Stipulation: A condition or requirement in an agreement.
Which is more formal: Clause, Condition, Provision, Section, and Stipulation?
Stipulation is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: Clause, Condition, Provision, Section, and Stipulation?
Provision is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Clause: In legal terms, a clause is a distinct provision in a contract. Condition: The condition of the car was poor after the long trip. Provision: The provision of clean water is essential for the health of the community. Section: Please complete the form and sign in the designated section. Stipulation: The contract included a stipulation that all payments be made in advance.
Can I use Clause, Condition, Provision, Section, and Stipulation interchangeably?
Not always. Clause, Condition, Provision, Section, and Stipulation are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.