Qui replaces a person in a question. It is used when we search for the identity of the subject or the person concerned.

When qui is the subject, it comes before the verb: Qui vient ? Here, the answer will be a person who performs the action.

When it refers to the person affected by the action, it keeps the same form: Qui as-tu vu ? In this question, we are seeking the person completing the verb.

To distinguish people, qui functions like the other pronouns of reference, as in Pronoms personnels, but it is used here to interrogate.

Use of qui for people

Idea
We use qui to ask about a person when they are the subject.
We also use qui to ask for the identity of a person.

Que or qu’ replaces a thing, an idea or a fact when asking about the direct object of the verb. It does not replace a person.

It comes before the auxiliary verb or the conjugated verb: Que veux-tu ? Qu’a-t-il acheté ?

If the sentence has a clear subject, que asks what that subject does, takes or chooses: Que regardes-tu ? The answer gives the thing directly concerned by the verb.

Use of que for things

Idea
We use que to ask about a thing when it is the direct object.
Before a vowel, que becomes qu’ to keep a smooth pronunciation.

Quoi interrogates about a thing, but it appears mainly after a preposition or at the end of a sentence.

We say: Avec quoi écris-tu ? Pour quoi travailles-tu ? Tu penses à quoi ?

In these forms, quoi does not replace the subject. It follows the preposition or ends the question when the language is more spontaneous. Without a preposition, we generally prefer que or qu’est-ce que.

Use of quoi after a preposition

Usage	Explanation
After a preposition	We use quoi after a preposition to ask about a thing.
End of sentence	We use quoi at the end of a sentence in a simple and spontaneous style.

Qu’est-ce qui is used to interrogate the subject of a thing. The thing performs the action. Qu’est-ce qui tombe ?

Qu’est-ce que is used to interrogate the object of the sentence. The thing receives the action. Qu’est-ce que tu cherches ?

The difference comes from the function in the sentence. With qu’est-ce qui, the answer replaces the subject. With qu’est-ce que, the answer replaces the direct object. This contrast is also found with Pronoms compléments, where the function in the sentence determines the form.

Difference between qu est ce qui and qu est ce que

Idea
We use what is it that when asking about the subject of a thing.
We use what is it that when asking about the object of a thing.

Lequel, laquelle, lesquels and lesquelles are used to choose between several people or several things.

They are used when several possibilities are already known: Lequel préfères-tu ? Laquelle de ces robes veux-tu ?

They can also accompany a group introduced by de: Lequel de tes amis vient ? The chosen form then depends on the noun being referred to and the number of elements proposed. For other forms of reference, the same principle is found in Pronoms démonstratifs and Pronoms indéfinis.

Choice among several elements

Usage	Explanation
Masculine singular selection	We use whichone to choose among several masculine singular elements.
Feminine singular selection	We use which one to choose among several feminine singular elements.
Masculine plural selection	We use which ones to choose among several masculine plural elements.
Feminine plural selection	We use which ones to choose among several feminine plural elements.

Lequel varies according to the gender and number of the noun it replaces. In masculine singular, we keep lequel. In feminine singular, we use laquelle. In masculine plural, we use lesquels. In feminine plural, we use lesquelles.

The agreement follows the thing or person that the pronoun replaces: J’ai deux chemises. Laquelle veux-tu ? Voici mes clés. Lesquelles sont à toi ?

When lequel is preceded by a preposition, the agreement remains visible in the form of the pronoun: avec laquelle, pour lesquels, de quelles

Agreement of lequel with the noun it refers to

Idea
Lequel changes form according to the gender of the noun it refers to.
Lequel changes form according to the number of the noun it refers to.

In a question, qui replaces a person and que replaces a thing, but the function in the sentence also decides the form.

If the questioned element is the subject, we use qui: Qui téléphone ? If the questioned element is the direct object, we use que: Que téléphones-tu ?

When the question concerns a thing and is after a preposition, we use quoi: À quoi penses-tu ? The form therefore depends on both the being or thing and the grammatical position.

Interrogative function of qui, que and quoi

Idea
We use who when the pronoun asks about a person as the subject.
We use what when the pronoun asks about a thing as a direct object.
We use quoi when the pronoun asks about a thing after a preposition or at the end of a sentence.

After a preposition, the interrogative pronoun often combines with it. We say à qui, de qui, pour qui, avec quoi, sur quoi.

The preposition stays in front of the pronoun, and together they form a single question: À qui parles-tu ? De quoi est-ce que tu as besoin ?

This structure is common with complements introduced by prepositions, as in the other pronominal groups. The same link of reference also appears in Pronoms Relatifs, where the preposition often precedes the pronoun.

Common combinations with preposition

Usage	Explanation
À qui	We use à qui to ask the person recipient or concerned.
De quoi	We use de quoi to ask about the matter the subject or the content.
Pour quoi	We use pour quoi to ask the reason or purpose in a clear exchange.

In indirect interrogation, the interrogative pronoun keeps its normal form. It introduces a question embedded in another sentence: Je ne sais pas qui vient. Dis-moi ce que tu veux.

The main verb is no longer in the interrogative inversion. The interrogative pronoun remains in the subordinate clause and keeps its function: subject with qui, object with que, complement with quoi after a preposition.

We then hear a question expressed without a direct question mark, as in Je me demande à quoi il pense.

Form of the interrogative pronouns in indirect questions

Idea
In indirect questioning, the interrogative pronoun often keeps its form.
In indirect questioning, the structure stays calmer than in a direct question.

In spoken informal language, quoi often replaces que at the end of a sentence: Tu fais quoi ? Il veut quoi ? This form is very common in conversation.

In a more formal register, we prefer lequel and its forms to clearly choose between several elements: Lequel de ces dossiers faut-il traiter d’abord ?

Questions can therefore vary depending on the situation. The chosen form depends on language level, the pronominal position, and the desired precision.

lequelquoi

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On emploie quoi dans un registre familier pour demander une chose de façon directeOn emploie lequel dans un registre plus soutenu pour demander un choix plus précis

Differences in register for quoi and lequel

Region	Variant	Definition	Example
France	quoi	We use quoi in a familiar register to ask about a thing directly.	Quoi tu racontes encore à mon grille pain ?What are you telling my toaster again?
France	lequel	We use lequel in a more formal register to ask for a more precise choice.	Lequel de ces chapeaux convient au roi des grenouilles ?Which of these hats suits the frog king?

Scramble