How to Use 'Dont' vs 'Duquel' Correctly for Perfect Grammar Checks

Published: March 17, 2026 | Category: Grammar | Read Time: 12 Mins

Relative pronouns (Qui, Que, Dont, Où) exist to combine two sentences or ideas without repeating nouns. Among these, the pronouns Dont and Duquel (and its variations de laquelle, desquels) are often confused by intermediate and advanced candidates alike.

For B2/C1 levels (TEF/TCF), examiners actively test these pronouns in Reading sections and reward them heavily in Writing. Here is the rule to tell them apart with absolute certainty.

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1. The Golden Rule: The Preposition 'De'

Both Dont and Duquel are used to replace the preposition De.

• The difference lies in how the preposition De is attached to the verb or noun.

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2. When to use DONT (Simple Verbs with 'De')

Use Dont when you are using a standard verb or phrase that naturally triggers the preposition de.

• (To speak about)

3. When to use DUQUEL (Compound Prepositions with 'De')

Use Duquel (or de laquelle, desquels, desquelles) when the trigger is a compound preposition—a phrase that includes de alongside a location or direction.

🚨 Category Overview: Matching Gender and Number

Unlike Dont (which is invariable), Duquel changes based on the noun it replaces:

Summary for Exam Day

Before writing or ticking an answer in a reading test, find the base verb:

1. Is it just de? -> Use Dont. (L'homme dont il parlait...)
2. Is it à côté de / au sujet de? -> Use Duquel. (Le problème au sujet duquel nous débattons...)

Using Duquel correctly shows an advanced (C1) understanding of French syntax structures.

At , our Grammar Diagnostic isolators provide targeted worksheets for relative pronouns to ensure you never guess between and again.