proveyeron de

Question

Ellos proveyeron de alimentos a los damnificados.They provided food to the victims.
Where does the 'de' come from here?
Thanks

Answer

Hola Ricky
Verb to provide, in Spanish sometimes admits preposition "de" as in "proveer de algo". It would also be correct if you omit the preposition though. 
It is like saying in English "He provided the poor with food" where you also use a preposition "with", although a different one, or "He provided food to the poor", with no preposition.
Saludos
Inma

Answer

Hi Inma, the presence and abscence of "de" (and function thereof) is also confusing for me. Also, are "de" and "por" sometimes interchangable. eg. "Él estaba rodeado de tiborones" and Él estaba rodeado por tiborones" Are these both correct? If so/not why?

Thanks, Brett

Answer

I was also surprised by the 'de' after proveer but now, it makes sense. It's like the provider of (something). 
Maybe this will help the other students too :)