Condition and purpose conjunctions (purché, affinché)

In business negotiations and contracts, we often need to state the conditions under which an agreement stands, or the underlying purpose of a specific clause. In Italian, conjunctions of condition and purpose always trigger the subjunctive mood.

Purché

Purché translates to "provided that" or "as long as". It introduces a strict condition that must be met for the main action to occur.

We work together, provided that the contract is valid.
Lavoriamo insieme, purché il contratto sia valido.
I sign that clause, provided that you pay the advance.
Firmo quella clausola, purché Lei paghi l'anticipo.

A patto che

A patto che means "on the condition that". It functions exactly like purché and is widely used in business and legal agreements to set firm requirements.

We conclude the agreement, on the condition that the payment is fast.
Concludiamo l'accordo, a patto che il pagamento sia veloce.
You can have the advance, on the condition that you conclude the project.
Puoi avere l'anticipo, a patto che tu concluda il progetto.

Affinché

While the previous conjunctions state conditions, affinché ("so that" or "in order that") expresses purpose, explaining why an action is taken.

I add this clause, so that the payment is safe.
Aggiungo questa clausola, affinché il pagamento sia sicuro.
We change the deadline, so that the collaborator has time.
Cambiamo la scadenza, affinché il collaboratore abbia tempo.
You must explain well, so that the client understands the clause.
Devi spiegare bene, affinché il cliente capisca la clausola.

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