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Le prix du fret fluctue suivant que le conteneur est plein ou vide.

Le prix du fret fluctue suivant que le conteneur est plein ou vide.
The freight price fluctuates depending on whether the container is full or empty.
From Lesson 430:Alternative conditions (selon que, suivant que)·French

Questions & Answers about Le prix du fret fluctue suivant que le conteneur est plein ou vide.

Why do we use the indicative est after suivant que instead of the subjunctive?
Even though many conjunctions ending in que trigger the subjunctive, suivant que and selon que are exceptions. They express alternative realities or facts rather than doubt, emotion, or uncertainty. Therefore, they take the indicative mood, which is why we see est here.
Where is the French word for "whether" in this sentence?
The expression suivant que contains the meaning of "depending on whether" all on its own. When presenting alternatives like plein ou vide (full or empty), you simply use suivant que paired with ou (or). You do not need to add a word like si.
Could I use selon que instead of suivant que in this sentence?
Yes, selon que and suivant que mean exactly the same thing and are entirely interchangeable. Selon que is just slightly more common in everyday French.
Do you pronounce the final "t" in the word fret?
Yes, unlike many French words ending in a consonant, the "t" in fret (freight or cargo) is traditionally pronounced. It sounds like "frett".

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