Breakdown of Plusieurs parieurs achètent des tickets pourvu que la cagnotte soit énorme.
être
to be
des
some (plural indefinite)
acheter
to buy
plusieurs
several
Questions & Answers about Plusieurs parieurs achètent des tickets pourvu que la cagnotte soit énorme.
Why do we use soit instead of the regular present tense est?
Because it follows pourvu que (provided that). This conjunction introduces a strict condition that must be met, and in French, it always triggers the subjunctive mood. soit is the subjunctive form of ètre.
Does pourvu que always mean "provided that"?
In the middle of a sentence, it usually means "provided that" or "as long as." However, if you put it at the very beginning of an exclamation, it translates to "let's hope that." For example, standing alone, Pourvu que la cagnotte soit énorme ! means "Let's hope the jackpot is huge!"
Is a cagnotte only used for gambling jackpots?
While it means "jackpot" in betting and lotteries, cagnotte is also the standard word for a "kitty" or "money pool." If friends or coworkers chip in money to buy someone a shared birthday gift, that collection is called a cagnotte.
Why isn't there a de after plusieurs, like there is after beaucoup?
Expressions of quantity like beaucoup or un peu are adverbs that require de to connect to a noun (e.g., beaucoup de parieurs). Plusieurs, on the other hand, is an adjective that attaches directly to the noun without a preposition. It is also invariable, meaning its spelling never changes to match masculine or feminine nouns.