en lequel

Hannah R.A1Kwiziq community member

en lequel

Hi, when is "en lequel" used in French or is it grammatically incorrect? 

Asked 6 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Hannah,

en lequel is grammatically correct and is indeed used. Here is an example:

Mon ami, en lequel j'ai confiance, habite à Paris. -- My friend, in whom I trust, lives in Paris.

Does this help? -- Chris (not a native speaker).

Hannah R.A1Kwiziq community member

This makes sense, thank you. 

Can you also use “en lequel” with objects?

And is there any specific reason why you would use “en lequel” rather than a different preposition?

Thank you for your help :)

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Yes, you can use en lequel with objects. Actually, it is mostly used for objects because for persons there exists an alternative construction.

The woman I work for. -- Le femme pour qui je travaille.
The company I work for. -- L'entrepreise pour laquelle je travaille.

You might want to check out this lesson for further details:
Using [preposition] + qui/lequel/laquelle/etc = on what/behind whom/beside which/etc (French Relative Pronouns)

You're also asking why I would use "en" and not a different preposition? Which preposition you use depends on what you want to say. In principle, any preposition can be combined with laquelle/lequel/lesquels/lesquelles.

L'arbre sous lequel j'étais assis. -- The tree I was sitting under.
Les livres sans lesquels je ne peux pas continuer. -- The books without which I cannot continue.

I hope that helps, -- Chris (not a native speaker).

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So why isn't en lesquelles ok here, please?

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

So why isn't en lesquelles ok here, please?

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Not ok where?

Alberta N.B2Kwiziq community member

The en is used when "de" is necessary in some fashion whether needed with a verb that takes "de" or when replacing a partitive.

Alberta N.B2Kwiziq community member

The en is used when "de" is necessary in some fashion whether needed with a verb that takes "de" or when replacing a partitive.

Hannah R. asked:

en lequel

Hi, when is "en lequel" used in French or is it grammatically incorrect? 

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