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Pronom relatif

French Relative Pronoun

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2019-03-13

See also: Pronom and Pronoun Types

Relative pronouns refer to something previously mentioned. The French relative pronouns are

  • qui
  • que
  • dont
  • où
  • lequel
  • ce qui
  • ce que
  • ce dont
  • ce à quoi

In English, equivalent words are that, which, whose etc. but there is no straightforward relationship between English and French relative pronouns. Each of the French relative pronouns has more than one possible English translation.

 

Lessons with more detail on Pronom relatif

Que = Whom/which/that (French Relative Pronouns)
Ce qui (vs ce que) = what/which (French Relative Pronouns)
Using [preposition] + qui/lequel/laquelle/etc = on what/behind whom/beside which/etc (French Relative Pronouns)
Où can mean where AND when (French Relative Pronouns)
Qui = Who/which/that (French Relative Pronouns)
Ce que (vs ce qui) = what/which (French Relative Pronouns)
Dont = Whose (French Relative Pronouns)
Dont = Including/[quantity] of which (French Relative Pronouns)
À + qui, auquel, à laquelle = to whom, what, which (French Relative Pronouns)
De qui/dont/duquel = of/about whom, of/about which - with prepositional verbs with "de" (French Relative Pronouns)
Dans lequel/laquelle : alternative to où with places (French Relative Pronouns)
Penser que/Croire que = To think that/To believe that in French
Expressing "to find" and opinions with the verb "trouver" in French
Duquel/de laquelle/desquels/desquelles with prepositional phrases with "de" (French Relative Pronouns)
I'll be right with you...