In a computer science report, is it correct to say the following sentence:
A certain package provides multiple features.
In other words, does the verb to provide collocate with the word feature?
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1Yes, you can say "provides" or "offers" or simply "has". But if you're going to use provides, one would typically expect a modifying clause identifying the purpose, e.g. ...provides multiple features for image manipulation.– TimRCommented Jan 12, 2016 at 12:39
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I don't think the collocation existed before modern electronics, (and particularly software); but it certainly does now.– Colin FineCommented Jan 12, 2016 at 14:24
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1There is nothing wrong with the sentence. Whether the two words "collocate" or not is irrelevant.– Hot LicksCommented Apr 12, 2016 at 2:26
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To say that two words collocate is different from saying that two words are okay together. Your words are fine, but they probably aren't a collocation.– DyingIsFunCommented Jun 11, 2016 at 12:07
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3 Answers
Typically, features are said to be offered
A certain package offers multiple features
There is nothing wrong with the sentence. Whether the two words "collocate" or not is irrelevant.
answered Jun 11, 2016 at 11:46
Did you look up the meanings of to provide? The origin is Latin pro- before, forward and videre to see. So the basic meaning is to see something in advance.
If Caesar saw in advance that the cereal for his legion would not suffice, the consequence was that he took care to get cereal and to have cereal delivered.
So to provide has an astonishing semantic development from to see to the verb to deliver or to make something available for someone. To provide + features is possible.
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1The last paragraph is right. The first two paragraphs are completely irrelevant to the question, and commit the etymoogical fallacy. Commented Jan 12, 2016 at 14:23