Search from various English teachers...
xuan
What's the difference between "provisional" and "temporary"?
Nov 12, 2012 12:24 PM
Answers · 4
1
They are very similar in meaning. The main difference is that something "TEMPORARY": is 'expected' to come to an end in the PRESENT TENSE. Whereas something temporary 'didn't last a long time' in the PAST TENSE.
Something 'PROVISIONAL' is, by its nature, 'designed' to come to an end. So something provisional in the PRESENT TENSE is 'designed' to come to an end in the future. Something provisional in the PAST TENSE was 'designed' to come to an end BUT MIGHT NOT HAVE ENDED.
To give some contextual examples:
"Their agreement was provisional." = They made an agreement and they only INTENDED and DESIGNED it to be temporary. It MAY have lasted a long time or even STILL be in place.
"Their agreement was temporary." = The agreement didn't last long. But when the two parties made the agreement, they may have INTENDED it to last longer.
I hope this helps you. This is a difficult one to grasp. If you want any further explanation just post a comment.
Good luck and take care!
November 12, 2012
the difference is that temporary i'll be forever but provisional is just for a period
November 12, 2012
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!
xuan
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English
Learning Language
English
Articles You May Also Like

Same Word, Different Meaning: American, British, and South African English
11 likes · 8 Comments

How to Sound Confident in English (Even When You’re Nervous)
13 likes · 11 Comments

Marketing Vocabulary and Phrases for Business English Learners
10 likes · 4 Comments
More articles