The conjunction pourvu que expresses conditions and strong hopes. Whether it means "provided that" or "let's hope that," it always requires the following verb to be in the subjunctive mood.
| provided that / let's hope that (expressing a wish) | pourvu que |
Expressing Conditions: Provided That
When linking two clauses, pourvu que sets a strict condition for the main action, translating to "provided that" or "as long as."
| Several bettors buy tickets provided that the jackpot is huge. | Plusieurs parieurs achètent des tickets pourvu que la cagnotte soit énorme. |
Expressing Strong Hopes: Let's Hope That
At the beginning of a sentence, pourvu que expresses a strong wish or hope, translating to "let's hope that."
| Let's hope that he wins the lotto tonight! | Pourvu qu'il gagne au loto ce soir ! |
| Let's hope that I win the grand prize at the lottery! | Pourvu que je gagne le gros lot à la loterie ! |
Irregular Subjunctive Verbs
You will frequently use pourvu que with irregular subjunctive forms like soit (from être) and ait or ayons (from avoir).
| Let's hope that the draw takes place today! | Pourvu que le tirage ait lieu aujourd'hui ! |
| Let's hope that this ticket is winning. | Pourvu que ce ticket soit gagnant. |
| Let's hope that we have the winning ticket. | Pourvu que nous ayons le ticket gagnant. |
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