Why is que used instead of ce que ?

Emily H.A2Kwiziq community member

Why is que used instead of ce que ?

“Nous pensons que c'est une bonne idée.”

Why is ‘que’ used instead of ‘ce que’  if we’re referring to the entire statement ‘c’est une bonne idée’ and not a specific object? 

I’m dying to know why! 

Asked 5 years ago
Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

You need que in this context, because it functions as the introduction of a subordinate clause and not as a relative pronoun.

Nous pensons que c'est une bonne idée. -- We think that this is a good idea. (Note that "that" isn't a relative pronoun in the English language version either.)

Ce que tu dis est une bonne idée. -- What you say is a good idea. (What = that which)

Claudine aime tout ce que son père lui dit. -- Claudine likes everything that her father tells her. (that = that which)

Claudine aime que son père lui raconte des histoires. -- Claudine likes that her father tells her stories.

Notice that in the last case, where "that" isn't a relative pronoun, the substitution by "that which" doesn't work.

Why is que used instead of ce que ?

“Nous pensons que c'est une bonne idée.”

Why is ‘que’ used instead of ‘ce que’  if we’re referring to the entire statement ‘c’est une bonne idée’ and not a specific object? 

I’m dying to know why! 

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...