Learn French: Quiconque n'a pas le badge ne peut pas entrer. - Whoever does not have the badge cannot enter.

Quiconque n'a pas le badge ne peut pas entrer.

Whoever does not have the badge cannot enter.

Breakdown of Quiconque n'a pas le badge ne peut pas entrer.

avoir

to have

not (used before the verb)

pas

not (used after the verb)

pouvoir

to be able to / can

Questions & Answers about Quiconque n'a pas le badge ne peut pas entrer.

Why is there no il before ne peut pas?

Quiconque (whoever / anyone who) is a powerful pronoun that often acts as the subject of two verbs at once. In this sentence, it is the subject of both the first verb (a) and the main verb (peut). You don't need to add il to start the second half of the sentence.

What verb form do we use with quiconque?

Quiconque is always treated grammatically as a third-person singular subject. That is why we use a and peut, exactly as if the subject were il or elle.

Why are there two separate ne ... pas structures here?

Because there are two distinct verbs being negated. The first is about not having the badge (n'a pas) and the second is about not being able to enter (ne peut pas). Each verb requires its own negative pair.

Is quiconque common in everyday spoken French?

It is a bit formal, making it perfect for rules, warnings, and written instructions like this one. In very casual, everyday speech, a French speaker might instead say Ceux qui n'ont pas le badge... (Those who don't have the badge...).