When establishing formal rules, warnings, or legal conditions, you often need a word that covers absolutely anyone. To say "whoever" or "anyone who," French uses the indefinite pronoun quiconque.
Quiconque as a Subject
Most often, quiconque sits at the beginning of a sentence to establish a general rule. Because it refers to a single, unspecified person, it takes the third-person singular form of the verb (just like il or elle).
| Whoever does not have the badge cannot enter. | Quiconque n'a pas le badge ne peut pas entrer. |
| Whoever approaches the secured door must stop. | Quiconque s'approche de la porte sécurisée doit s'arrêter. |
It is especially common when outlining strict security rules, identifying intruders, or setting perimeters.
| Whoever enters this large perimeter must show his badge. | Quiconque pénètre dans ce grand périmètre doit montrer son badge. |
| Whoever finds the intruder must report him before it is too late. | Quiconque trouve l'intrus doit le signaler avant qu'il soit trop tard. |
Quiconque as an Object
Quiconque can also appear as the object of a verb, meaning the action is done to "whoever." Notice how it bridges the main clause and the rule that follows:
| The judge severely condemns whoever breaks this law. | Le juge condamne sévèrement quiconque enfreint cette loi. |
| The policeman is going to expel whoever refuses to leave the perimeter. | Le policier va expulser quiconque refuse de quitter le périmètre. |
| Stop whoever enters the secured zone, in case he is dangerous. | Arrêtez quiconque pénètre dans la zone sécurisée, au cas où il serait dangereux. |
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