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Quiconque enfreint la règle mérite une sanction.

Quiconque enfreint la règle mérite une sanction.
Whoever breaks the rule deserves a penalty.
From Lesson 311:The indefinite pronoun (quiconque)·French

Questions & Answers about Quiconque enfreint la règle mérite une sanction.

How does quiconque function grammatically in this sentence?
Quiconque means "whoever" or "anyone who". It is a single indefinite pronoun that acts as the subject for both verbs in this sentence: enfreint (breaks) and mérite (deserves). It always takes the third-person singular conjugation, just like il or elle.
Could I use celui qui instead of quiconque here?
Yes, you could say Celui qui enfreint la règle... (He who / The one who breaks the rule...). However, quiconque sounds slightly more formal and legal, making it perfect for stating rules or laws. It also includes absolutely everyone without specifying a gender, whereas celui qui is grammatically masculine.
What is the infinitive of enfreint and how is it conjugated?
The infinitive is enfreindre (to break or infringe upon). It belongs to the tricky group of verbs ending in -eindre (like peindre or éteindre). In the present tense third-person singular, these verbs drop the "d" from their stem and add a "t", which is why it becomes enfreint to match the singular subject quiconque.
Is sanction a false friend here?
It can be! In English, "sanction" can mean a penalty OR an official approval. In French, une sanction almost exclusively means a penalty, punishment, or disciplinary measure, as it does in this sentence.

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