French Relative Clauses
A relative clause (une proposition subordonnée relative) provides more information about a noun or pronoun from the previous clause without having to begin a new sentence. It is placed directly after the noun or pronoun it refers to.
Defining vs. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
Defining (Restrictive)
Necessary to identify who or what we're talking about. Written without commas.
(Tells us which boy it is out of a group)
Non-Defining (Non-restrictive)
Adds extra info not needed for identification. Written between commas.
(We already know it's Malya)
Relative Pronouns
The choice of pronoun depends on its grammatical function in the subordinate clause (what it replaces).
| Replacing Function | Person | Thing / Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | qui | qui |
| Direct Object | que / qu' | que / qu' |
| Preposition + Indirect Object | (prep) + qui | (prep) + quoi, lequel... |
| de + noun (possession/source) | dont | dont |
| Time or Place | - | où |
Word Order with 'qui'
pronoun + verb + object
Word Order with others (que, dont)
pronoun + subject + verb
Les lunettes qu'Antoine porte...
Les lunettes dont Antoine est fier...
The forms of 'lequel'
Lequel agrees in gender and number with the noun it refers to. It is used after prepositions.
(Note: often replaced by dont unless following a compound preposition like à côté de)
The Subjunctive in Relative Clauses
The subjunctive mood must be used in a relative clause when it:
Follows a negation:
Follows a superlative or le premier, dernier, seul:
Expresses a wish, purpose, or result:
Practice Relative Clauses
Master French relative pronouns and clause structures through targeted practice.