qui, que, dont, and où
Relative clauses are used to connect a dependent clause to a main clause, providing additional information about a noun without starting a new sentence. In French, relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns, which link the two clauses and refer back to the noun being described.
- Relative clauses add information about a noun in the main clause.
- They avoid repetition by not repeating the noun.
- Relative clauses depend on the main clause and cannot stand alone.
- French relative pronouns include qui, que, dont, and où.
- The pronoun used depends on the role of the noun in the relative clause and the type of information being added.
Example:
- Le livre qui est sur la table est intéressant.
(The book that is on the table is interesting.)
"Qui" introduces the relative clause and refers to "le livre," adding information about it.
qui
Use 'dont' when the verb in the relative clause requires 'de', to replace 'de' + noun, or to indicate possession.
| Pronoun | Use | Example (Fr) | Example (En) |
|---|---|---|---|
| qui | Subject of the relative clause (people/things) | La femme qui parle est ma mère. | The woman who is speaking... |
| que | Direct object | Le film que j’ai vu était génial. | The film that I saw... |
| dont | Shows possession or replaces “de” + noun | Voici l’homme dont je parle. | Here is the man whom I speak about. |
| C’est la voiture dont les clés sont là. | That’s the car whose keys are here. | ||
| où | Refers to place or time | Voici la ville où je suis né. | Here is the city where I was born. |
Example Sentences:
- qui: Les élèves qui étudient réussissent.
- que: Le livre que tu lis est intéressant.
- dont: Voilà la femme dont je me souviens.
- où: L'école où j'étudie est proche.
où
qui, que, dont, and où
To add information about a noun without starting a new sentence
Relative Clause Exercise:
Match the relative pronoun to its correct use:
| Pronoun | Use |
|---|---|
| qui | Subject (people/things) |
| que | Direct object |
| dont | Possession / replaces 'de' |
| où | Place or time |
Answer:
- qui: Subject
- que: Direct object
- dont: Possession / "de" + noun
- où: Place or time
Yes
Conclusion
French relative clauses are essential for creating fluid, precise sentences by connecting additional information directly to nouns. Mastery of relative pronouns and their correct usage enriches your communication and comprehension skills in French.
- Relative clauses link extra information to a noun without starting a new sentence.
- Use qui, que, dont, and où based on the function of the noun and context.
- Relative pronouns enable you to talk about people, things, possession, and places/times seamlessly.