Learn French: Si le train a du retard, j'annule le rendez-vous. - If the train is delayed, I cancel the appointment.

Si le train a du retard, j'annule le rendez-vous.

If the train is delayed, I cancel the appointment.

Breakdown of Si le train a du retard, j'annule le rendez-vous.

Questions & Answers about Si le train a du retard, j'annule le rendez-vous.

Could I use parce que (because) instead of si (if) in this sentence?

You could, but it changes the story! Si sets up a condition: you will only cancel if the train gets delayed. If you say J'annule le rendez-vous parce que le train a du retard, you are stating a definite reason: you are canceling because the train is already delayed.

Why does it say a du retard (has delay) instead of using the verb "to be"?

In French, it is very common to use the verb avoir (to have) for transportation delays: Le train a du retard literally means "The train has some delay". You can also use the verb être (to be) and say Le train est en retard (The train is late), which means the exact same thing.

Why is there a du before retard?

Du means "some". When using the expression avoir du retard (to have a delay), French treats retard as a concept you can have a certain amount of. You need the word du to show you mean "some delay".

Why is j'annule (I cancel) in the present tense if the canceling hasn't happened yet?

Just like in English, French often uses the present tense for both halves of a si (if) sentence to show a rule or a guaranteed reaction. By saying j'annule now, you are showing that it is your definite plan if the delay happens.