Relative Pronouns

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Pronoms rélatifs

Relative pronouns are connectors – they link relative clauses to main clauses so that you don’t have to repeat subjects and objects. If any of these grammatical concepts are unclear to you, please study those lessons before reading this one.

Characteristics of relative pronouns

1. Connect relative and main clauses
2. Can be subjects, direct objects, or objects of a preposition
3. Are impersonal and therefore invariable
4. Are required in French, though they are sometimes optional in English

There are five French relative pronouns: dont, lequel, où, que, and qui. These are equivalent to seven English relative pronouns and adverbs: that, when, where, which, who, whom, and whose. I can’t give you a nice French relative pronoun = English relative pronoun/adverb list, because the grammar is somewhat different in the two languages, and there are at least two possible English translations for each French pronoun, depending on the context.

Here’s a summary of French relative pronouns with their functions and possible translations – please click to read detailed lessons on each one.

Pronoun		Function(s)		English equivalents
Dont		Object of preposition de Possession indicator		from which, of which, that whose
Lequel		Object of a preposition		what, which, that
Où		Place or time indicator		when, where, which, that
Que		Direct object		what, which, whom, that
Qui		Subject Object (person) of preposition		what, who which, whom, that

	Quiz: Un métier extraordinaire

French also has indefinite relative pronouns (ce dont, ce que, ce qui, and quoi).

 Related lessons

• Relative pronouns – PwLF super list
• Clauses
• Direct object
• Indirect objects
• Prepositions
• Subject pronouns

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