Conditional vs. Provisional — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 8, 2024
A conditional offer depends on specific requirements being met, emphasizing contingencies, whereas a provisional offer is temporary and subject to final approval, highlighting its interim nature.
Difference Between Conditional and Provisional
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Conditional offers are typically extended with the expectation that the recipient will fulfill certain criteria or conditions before the offer becomes fully effective. These conditions must be met to finalize the agreement, ensuring both parties' obligations are clear. On the other hand, provisional offers are given on a temporary basis, with the understanding that a more permanent arrangement or offer will replace them once certain criteria are reviewed or additional information is obtained.
While conditional offers often relate to contracts, employment, or academic admissions, requiring specific qualifications, achievements, or actions, provisional offers may serve as placeholders. They allow activities to commence or continue until a final decision or arrangement is made, thus providing a framework for initial engagement without full commitment.
The nature of the conditions in a conditional offer can vary widely, from achieving a certain grade or qualification to passing a background check. These conditions are usually explicitly stated and must be objectively verifiable. In contrast, provisional offers may hinge on broader criteria or pending circumstances, such as budget approval or the completion of a review process, which might be more subjective or flexible in their fulfillment.
Conditional offers create a binding agreement once conditions are met, signifying a mutual commitment to proceed based on the fulfillment of specified terms. Provisional offers, however, remain in a state of flux, with the understanding that either party may need to adjust or withdraw based on future developments or final approvals.
The timeframe for meeting the conditions of a conditional offer is typically clear and defined, while the duration of provisional status may be uncertain, reflecting its temporary and potentially changeable nature.
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Comparison Chart
Basis of Offer
Depends on fulfilling specific conditions.
Temporary, awaiting final approval.
Nature
Contingent upon meeting set criteria.
Interim arrangement with potential for change.
Application
Contracts, employment, academics.
Initial engagements, pending decisions.
Fulfillment
Conditions must be met for offer to be valid.
May be replaced or finalized upon review.
Commitment Level
Binding once conditions are met.
Tentative, with potential for adjustment.
Compare with Definitions
Conditional
An offer made with attached stipulations that must be satisfied.
The university's conditional offer required achieving specific exam scores.
Provisional
An interim proposal subject to confirmation.
The provisional admission to the course required passing a prerequisite exam.
Conditional
Offer implying obligations on both parties.
The conditional contract included a clause for performance review.
Provisional
Conditional upon future developments.
The provisional treaty was effective until formal negotiations concluded.
Conditional
Tied to prerequisites for validity.
The conditional sale agreement hinged on the buyer securing financing.
Provisional
A placeholder offer until definitive arrangements are made.
The provisional license allowed her to practice until full certification.
Conditional
A proposal dependent on certain criteria being met.
She received a conditional job offer. pending her background check.
Provisional
A temporary offer pending further information or action.
He accepted a provisional position with the firm until the final decision.
Conditional
An agreement with enforceable conditions.
His conditional release from the team was contingent on finding a replacement.
Provisional
A tentative agreement awaiting final approval.
The provisional budget was set. awaiting board approval.
Conditional
Imposing, depending on, or containing a condition.
Provisional
Provided or serving only for the time being.
Conditional
(Grammar) Stating, containing, or implying a condition.
Provisional
Provisional Of or relating to any of the extremist factions of the Irish Republican Army established in 1970.
Conditional
(Psychology) Brought about by conditioning.
Provisional
A person hired temporarily for a job, typically before having taken an examination qualifying the person for permanent employment
Fire department provisionals.
Conditional
A mood, tense, clause, word, or morpheme expressing a condition. See Usage Note at if.
Provisional
A temporary stamp that is used before the official issue is released.
Conditional
Limited by a condition.
I made my son a conditional promise: I would buy him a bike if he kept his room tidy.
Provisional
Provisional A member of a Provisional faction of the Irish Republican Army.
Conditional
(logic) Stating that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional statement.
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.
Conditional
(grammar) Expressing a condition or supposition.
A conditional word, mode, or tense
Provisional
(philately) A postage stamp issued locally before an official issue is released.
Conditional
(grammar) A conditional sentence; a statement that depends on a condition being true or false.
Provisional
(dentistry) An interim denture.
Conditional
(grammar) The conditional mood.
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.
Conditional
(logic) A statement that one sentence is true if another is.
"A implies B" is a conditional.
Provisional
Under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon;
Probationary employees
A provisional government
Just a tentative schedule
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.Conditional
A condition a limitation or restriction.
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.
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.
Conditional
A limitation.
Conditional
A conditional word, mode, or proposition.
Disjunctives may be turned into conditionals.
Conditional
Qualified by reservations
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
Common Curiosities
Can a conditional offer become permanent?
Yes, once all specified conditions are met, it typically becomes a permanent agreement.
Are provisional offers less secure than conditional offers?
Yes, provisional offers are more subject to change and may offer less certainty until finalized.
Is a provisional offer legally binding?
It may have legal standing but is subject to change until all conditions for final approval are met.
Can a provisional offer be withdrawn?
Yes, provisional offers can be withdrawn or modified based on subsequent information or changes in circumstances.
What is a conditional offer?
An offer that becomes fully effective only after certain specified conditions are met.
What does provisional mean in terms of an offer?
Provisional indicates that the offer is temporary and subject to final approval or conditions.
Can the conditions of a conditional offer be negotiated?
Often, conditions are set by the offering party, but there may be room for negotiation in some cases.
What happens if conditions of a conditional offer are not met?
The offer typically becomes void or is withdrawn if the conditions are not satisfied.
Do these types of offers apply in personal contexts?
While more common in formal settings, the principles can apply to personal agreements or arrangements.
How do parties determine when conditions are met?
Through evidence or documentation that verifies the fulfillment of the stipulated conditions.
What role does clarity play in conditional and provisional offers?
Clarity is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and ensure both parties are aware of the conditions and their implications.
How long do provisional offers last?
The duration can vary widely depending on the context and the conditions leading to final approval.
What is the key difference in commitment between the two types of offers?
Conditional offers imply a firmer commitment contingent on specific conditions, while provisional offers indicate a temporary commitment pending final decisions.
How do these offers impact negotiations?
They can significantly influence negotiations by setting the terms and expectations for future engagement and commitment.
Can conditional and provisional offers coexist?
Yes, an offer can be both conditional and provisional, requiring certain conditions to be met within a temporary arrangement.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
