Learn French: Nous acceptons cet algorithme dans la mesure où il respecte l'éthique. - We accept this algorithm to the extent that it respects ethics.

Nous acceptons cet algorithme dans la mesure où il respecte l'éthique.

We accept this algorithm to the extent that it respects ethics.

Breakdown of Nous acceptons cet algorithme dans la mesure où il respecte l'éthique.

nous

we / us (object pronoun)

this (before a noun)

accepter

to accept

Questions & Answers about Nous acceptons cet algorithme dans la mesure où il respecte l'éthique.

Why is respecte in the indicative mood and not the subjunctive, since dans la mesure où sets a condition?

Even though dans la mesure où establishes a condition or boundary (to the extent that / insofar as), it is always followed by the indicative mood. This is because it presents the condition as a real, objective fact to be measured against, rather than a doubtful or hypothetical one.

Why do we use cet before algorithme instead of ce?

algorithme is a masculine singular noun. Normally, "this" or "that" for a masculine noun is ce, but because algorithme starts with a vowel, we must use cet to make the pronunciation smoother and avoid a clash of vowel sounds.

Why is l'éthique singular here when we usually say "ethics" in the plural in English?

In French, l'éthique (ethics or morality) is almost always used in the singular to refer to the overall concept, philosophical discipline, or moral framework. It is rarely pluralized unless you are talking about distinct sets of rules for different fields.

Could I use pourvu que instead of dans la mesure où in this sentence?

You could, but it changes the nuance and the grammar. dans la mesure où means "to the extent that" or "insofar as", highlighting a proportion or a boundary. pourvu que simply means "provided that" and it requires the subjunctive mood, whereas dans la mesure où takes the indicative.