Learn French: Le délai change suivant que le transporteur utilise le réseau terrestre ou maritime. - The timeframe changes depending on whether the carrier uses the land or sea network.

Le délai change suivant que le transporteur utilise le réseau terrestre ou maritime.

The timeframe changes depending on whether the carrier uses the land or sea network.

Breakdown of Le délai change suivant que le transporteur utilise le réseau terrestre ou maritime.

Questions & Answers about Le délai change suivant que le transporteur utilise le réseau terrestre ou maritime.

Why is utilise in the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive after suivant que?

Unlike many expressions ending in que (like bien que or pour que), suivant que and selon que express a condition based on a reality or a choice between factual possibilities, not a wish, emotion, or uncertainty. Because of this, they are always followed by the indicative mood.

Can I use selon que instead of suivant que in this sentence?

Yes, absolutely. Selon que and suivant que are completely interchangeable synonyms that both mean "depending on whether." You can use either one here without changing the meaning or the grammar.

Wait, doesn't le délai mean "delay"?

It's a common false friend! While it can occasionally mean "delay" in the sense of a granted extension of time, le délai usually means a "timeframe," "time limit," or "deadline." When you want to talk about running late or a delayed train, the word to use is le retard.

Why is le réseau singular when it mentions two types of networks (land and sea)?

Because it refers to a single network chosen from two options. It is essentially shorthand for le réseau terrestre ou le réseau maritime. Since it's an "either/or" choice for the carrier, the noun remains singular.