pourvu que + Subjunctive

Provided That with Pourvu Que

Level 3

Pourvu que is a versatile phrase meaning "provided that" or "as long as." It is also used at the start of sentences to mean "Let's hope that..." It always requires the subjunctive mood.

How It Works

The phrase pourvu que is a standard part of everyday French. Its most important grammatical rule is that the following verb must be in the subjunctive.

1. Expressing a Condition
When used in the middle of a sentence, it functions like "provided that." It implies that if this one condition is met, everything else will follow. It is slightly more emotional and less formal than à condition que.
Example: Je viendrai, pourvu qu'il fasse beau. (I will come, provided the weather is nice.)

2. Expressing a Wish or Hope
When placed at the beginning of an exclamation, it translates to "Let's hope that..." or "I just hope..." This usage often carries a hint of worry that the opposite might happen.
Example: Pourvu qu'elle n'ait pas oublié ! (I just hope she hasn't forgotten!)

3. Same Subject Exception
Unlike many other subjunctive triggers (like vouloir que), which usually switch to an infinitive when the subject is the same, pourvu que typically keeps the subjunctive even if the subject doesn't change.
Example: Je partirai, pourvu que je puisse trouver mes clés. (I will leave, provided that I can find my keys.)

4. Form and Elision
The phrase is invariable. However, like many French words ending in 'e', it undergoes elision before a vowel or a mute 'h':

  • Pourvu qu'il...
  • Pourvu qu'elle...
  • Pourvu qu'on...

Examples (4)

  1. Tu peux sortir ce soir, pourvu que tu reviennes avant minuit.

    You can go out tonight, provided that you come back before midnight.

    Word by Word: You can go out this evening, provided that you return before midnight.

    Here, 'reviennes' is the subjunctive form of 'revenir' because it follows 'pourvu que'.

  2. Pourvu qu'il ne pleuve pas pendant le match !

    Let's hope it doesn't rain during the match!

    Word by Word: Provided that it not rain during the match!

    Used at the start of a sentence, it expresses a strong hope or wish.

  3. Tout ira bien pourvu qu'on garde notre calme.

    Everything will be fine as long as we stay calm.

    Word by Word: Everything will go well provided that one keeps our calm.

    The subjunctive 'garde' is used to show the condition for success.

  4. Pourvu qu'elle soit à l'heure pour son entretien.

    I just hope she is on time for her interview.

    Word by Word: Provided that she be at the hour for her interview.

    The irregular subjunctive 'soit' (from être) is required here.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive.

    Pourvu qu'il fait beau demain.
    Pourvu qu'il fasse beau demain.

    Even though 'fait' (indicative) sounds natural to English speakers thinking 'it is nice', French grammar strictly requires the subjunctive 'fasse' after 'pourvu que'.

  • Using the future tense for future conditions.

    Pourvu qu'il pleuvra pas.
    Pourvu qu'il ne pleuve pas.

    In French, you cannot use the future tense after 'pourvu que'. You must use the present subjunctive, even if the event is in the future.

  • Assuming 'espérer' follows the same rule as 'pourvu que'.

    J'espère qu'il vienne.
    J'espère qu'il viendra.

    While 'pourvu que' (let's hope that) always triggers the subjunctive, the verb 'espérer' (to hope) usually takes the indicative in affirmative sentences because it expresses a probable outcome.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

pourvu que + SubjunctiveLevel 3Provided That with Pourvu Que

Learn This First

To use 'pourvu que' (provided that), you must first understand how to form the subjunctive mood, as this conjunction is a specific trigger for it. Additionally, understanding elision is necessary to correctly link the conjunction to subject pronouns starting with a vowel, like 'il' or 'elle'.

Words in This Pattern

pourvu que