Learn French: Le professeur justifie la décision étant donné que l'effectif augmente. - The teacher justifies the decision given that the class size is increasing.

Le professeur justifie la décision étant donné que l'effectif augmente.

The teacher justifies the decision given that the class size is increasing.

Breakdown of Le professeur justifie la décision étant donné que l'effectif augmente.

Questions & Answers about Le professeur justifie la décision étant donné que l'effectif augmente.

Since étant donné que ends with que, shouldn't it be followed by the subjunctive?

No, étant donné que (given that) introduces a known, objective fact, so it always takes the indicative mood. Here, the increase in class size is presented as an established reality, which is why we use the present indicative augmente.

What is the difference between using étant donné que and simply saying parce que here?

While both express cause, étant donné que is more formal and argumentative. It highlights that the cause is an undeniable, objective premise that logically forces the outcome (the teacher's decision). Parce que simply answers why, whereas étant donné que sets a factual foundation.

Why is l'effectif translated as the class size? Doesn't it mean workforce or staff?

L'effectif refers broadly to the total number of people in a specific group. While it often means staff or workforce in a business context, in an educational setting (indicated by Le professeur), it refers to the number of students, hence class size or enrollment.

Does the phrase étant donné que ever change to agree with the nouns around it?

No, as a compound conjunction, étant donné que is completely invariable. You never add an -s or an -e to donné in this expression, regardless of the gender or number of the nouns in the sentence.