Question 1

Why is seraient translated as "are reportedly" instead of "would be"?

Accepted Answer

This is the journalistic conditional. In French, the conditional mood is often used to state unconfirmed information, like a rumor or a news report. By using seraient instead of the present tense sont, the speaker shows that they cannot fully guarantee this fact.

Question 2

Could I express this same idea without using the conditional?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You could use an adverb like apparemment (apparently) with the normal present tense: Ces catacombes sont apparemment immenses. The conditional seraient is simply a more elegant, standard way to express unconfirmed information in news reports or stories without adding extra words.

Question 3

Why use Ces instead of Ce or Celles?

Accepted Answer

Ces is the plural demonstrative adjective meaning "these" or "those", so it must go directly in front of the plural noun catacombes. Ce is only used for singular masculine nouns. Celles means "those ones" and is a pronoun, meaning it replaces a noun entirely rather than sitting next to one.

Question 4

Do I need to make a liaison between seraient and immenses?

Accepted Answer

In everyday spoken French, no. You will usually just hear the vowel sound at the end of seraient followed immediately by the "ee" sound of immenses. However, in very formal speech or news broadcasts, you might hear a "t" sound connecting the two words.

Ces catacombes seraient immenses.

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