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La diversion fonctionne pour peu que tu aies un prétexte.

La diversion fonctionne pour peu que tu aies un prétexte.
The diversion works provided that you have a pretext.
From Lesson 427:Minimal condition conjunction (pour peu que)·French

Questions & Answers about La diversion fonctionne pour peu que tu aies un prétexte.

What exactly is the nuance of pour peu que compared to à condition que?
While both can translate to "provided that", pour peu que specifically expresses a minimal condition. It literally means "for little that." In this sentence, it implies that you only need a very small thing—just a basic pretext—for the diversion to be successful.
Why is the verb avoir conjugated as aies here?
The conjunction pour peu que always triggers the subjunctive mood because it introduces a hypothetical condition. Therefore, you must use aies, which is the tu form of avoir in the present subjunctive.
I always forget the subjunctive forms of avoir. Is aies following a regular pattern?
No, avoir is highly irregular in the subjunctive. As a quick refresher, the present subjunctive forms are: que j'aie, que tu aies, qu'il/elle ait, que nous ayons, que vous ayez, and qu'ils/elles aient.
Could I say La diversion travaille instead of La diversion fonctionne?
No. In French, travailler is strictly used for people or animals doing labor or studying. When a machine, system, or plan (like a diversion) "works" or operates, you must use fonctionner or the slightly more casual marcher.

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