A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause of a sentence. In French, relative clauses are commonly used to describe or identify someone or something more specifically. They are introduced by relative pronouns, such as “qui,” “que,” “dont,” “où,” and “lequel.” Understanding how to form and use relative clauses is essential for constructing complex sentences and conveying precise information in French. In this guide, we will explore the various types of French relative clauses and provide example sentences to illustrate their usage.
Defining Relative Clauses:
Defining relative clauses are used to provide essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They cannot be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. In French, defining relative clauses are usually introduced by the relative pronouns “qui” and “que.”
a) “Qui”:
The relative pronoun “qui” is used to refer to a person or an animal that performs the action of the verb in the relative clause.
Example:
La femme qui parle est ma sœur. (The woman who is speaking is my sister.)
In this sentence, “qui parle” (who is speaking) is the relative clause that provides additional information about “la femme” (the woman).
b) “Que”:
The relative pronoun “que” is used to refer to a thing or an animal that is the direct object of the verb in the relative clause.
Example:
J’ai acheté le livre que tu m’as recommandé. (I bought the book that you recommended to me.)
Here, “que tu m’as recommandé” (that you recommended to me) is the relative clause that describes “le livre” (the book).
Non-Defining Relative Clauses:
Non-defining relative clauses are used to provide additional, non-essential information about the noun or pronoun they modify. They are usually set off by commas. In French, non-defining relative clauses are introduced by the relative pronouns “qui” and “que.”
a) “Qui”:
The relative pronoun “qui” is used to refer to a person or an animal in non-defining relative clauses.
Example:
Mon ami, qui est médecin, voyage beaucoup. (My friend, who is a doctor, travels a lot.)
In this sentence, the non-defining relative clause “qui est médecin” (who is a doctor) provides additional information about “mon ami” (my friend).
b) “Que”:
The relative pronoun “que” is used to refer to a thing or an animal in non-defining relative clauses.
Example:
Cette voiture, que j’ai achetée hier, est très rapide. (This car, which I bought yesterday, is very fast.)
Here, the non-defining relative clause “que j’ai achetée hier” (which I bought yesterday) adds extra information about “cette voiture” (this car).
Other Relative Pronouns:
In addition to “qui” and “que,” there are other relative pronouns used in French relative clauses:
a) “Dont”:
The relative pronoun “dont” is used to indicate possession or to refer to something that is the object of a verb or preposition.
Example:
Le livre dont je parle est très intéressant. (The book that I am talking about is very interesting.)
In this sentence, “dont je parle” (that I am talking about) is the relative clause that describes “le livre” (the book).
b) “Où”:
The relative pronoun “où” is used to refer to a place or a time.
Example:
La ville où j’habite est magnifique. (The city where I live is beautiful.)
Here, “où j’habite” (where I live) is the relative clause that provides information about “la ville” (the city).
c) “Lequel” (and its derivatives):
The relative pronoun “lequel” is used to refer to a thing or an animal and agrees in gender and number with the noun it replaces. Its forms include “lequel,” “laquelle,” “lesquels,” and “lesquelles.”
Example:
Les livres sur lesquels j’ai étudié étaient très utiles. (The books that I studied were very helpful.)
In this sentence, “sur lesquels j’ai étudié” (that I studied) is the relative clause that modifies “les livres” (the books).
Relative clauses add depth and specificity to French sentences, allowing for more precise descriptions and clearer identification. Mastering the use of relative pronouns is essential for effective communication in French. By understanding the different types of relative clauses and their respective introductions, you can construct complex sentences and convey information accurately and fluently.
Quick quiz
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete the sentence.
The dog _ is barking belongs to my neighbor.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: a) qui
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the dog, which is the subject performing the action of barking. The appropriate relative pronoun for this case is “qui.”
Example sentence: Le chien qui aboie appartient à mon voisin. (The dog who is barking belongs to my neighbor.)
Exercise 2:
Select the appropriate relative pronoun to complete the sentence.
The book _ I read yesterday was fascinating.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: b) que
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the book, which is the direct object of the verb “read.” The correct relative pronoun for this situation is “que.”
Example sentence: Le livre que j’ai lu hier était fascinant. (The book that I read yesterday was fascinating.)
Exercise 3:
Choose the suitable relative pronoun for the sentence.
My friend, _ is a talented musician, will perform tonight.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: a) qui
Explanation: In this sentence, we require a relative pronoun to refer to the friend who is the subject performing the action of being a talented musician. The correct relative pronoun to use here is “qui.”
Example sentence: Mon ami, qui est un musicien talentueux, se produira ce soir. (My friend, who is a talented musician, will perform tonight.)
Exercise 4:
Select the correct relative pronoun for the sentence.
This car, _ I bought last week, is very expensive.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: c) dont
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to indicate possession or ownership of the car. The appropriate relative pronoun for this context is “dont.”
Example sentence: Cette voiture, dont j’ai acheté la semaine dernière, est très chère. (This car, which I bought last week, is very expensive.)
Exercise 5:
Choose the appropriate relative pronoun for the sentence.
The city _ I grew up is beautiful.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: d) où
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the place where the speaker grew up. The correct relative pronoun for indicating a place is “où.”
Example sentence: La ville où j’ai grandi est magnifique. (The city where I grew up is beautiful.)
Exercise 6:
Select the suitable relative pronoun for the sentence.
The cat, _ I adopted from the shelter, is very playful.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: c) dont
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to indicate possession or ownership of the cat. The appropriate relative pronoun for this context is “dont.”
Example sentence: Le chat, dont j’ai adopté à l’abri, est très joueur. (The cat, which I adopted from the shelter, is very playful.)
Exercise 7:
Choose the correct relative pronoun to complete the sentence.
The students _ are studying diligently will succeed.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: a) qui
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the students who are the subject performing the action of studying diligently. The suitable relative pronoun for this case is “qui.”
Example sentence: Les étudiants qui étudient assidûment réussiront. (The students who are studying diligently will succeed.)
Exercise 8:
Select the appropriate relative pronoun to complete the sentence.
The house _ we visited yesterday is for sale.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: d) où
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the place where the speaker visited the house. The correct relative pronoun for indicating a place is “où.”
Example sentence: La maison où nous avons visité hier est à vendre. (The house where we visited yesterday is for sale.)
Exercise 9:
Choose the suitable relative pronoun for the sentence.
The movie, _ I watched last night, was fantastic.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: b) que
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the movie, which is the direct object of the verb “watched.” The appropriate relative pronoun for this situation is “que.”
Example sentence: Le film que j’ai regardé hier soir était fantastique. (The movie that I watched last night was fantastic.)
Exercise 10:
Select the correct relative pronoun for the sentence.
The girl, _ I met at the party, is my cousin.
a) qui
b) que
c) dont
d) où
Answer: a) qui
Explanation: In this sentence, we need a relative pronoun to refer to the girl, who is the subject of the verb “met.” The correct relative pronoun to use here is “qui.”
Example sentence: La fille qui j’ai rencontrée à la fête est ma cousine. (The girl who I met at the party is my cousin.)
Originally posted 2023-07-19 02:08:54.