Are these really equivalent?

KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Are these really equivalent?

This question relates to:French lesson "De + qui, duquel, de laquelle, dont = Of/about whom (relative pronouns)"

Asked 3 years ago

Like0Answer10

CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi everyone,

I don't think 'dont ' and 'duquel' are always interchangeable.

In the examples given in the lesson , the verbs all use de :

avoir envie de , avoir peur de, parler de, avoir besoin de ...

In thoses cases you can use any of the possibilities suggested .

Hope this helps!

Like12 years ago

KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

I keep seeing material that talks about the importance of distinguishing between them: Dont for a phrasal verb : Le livre dont je t'ai parlé Duquel/etc. for prepositions : Le livre au-dessus duquel j'ai renversé mon café

Like03 years ago

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The distinction is a pretty complicated matter and depends also on the register you are using. Here is a page which explains it and also offers a little test in the end to check your understanding: https://www.francaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-francais-2/exercice-francais-105504.php

-- Chris (not a native speaker)

Like03 years ago

KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thank you, Chris! I did look at the Français Facile page the other day, which is why I was surprised to see the two possibiities described as equivalent.

Like03 years ago

ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I don't see them as interchangeably equivalent. They serve a similar purpose but in some instances you need one where you can't substitute the other. I believe the site to which I postet the link in my previous post explains it pretty well.

-- Chris (not a native speaker).

Like02 years ago

KevinB1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Thanks!

Like02 years ago

LesleyC1Kwiziq community member

I would like to see this question answered by one of the site teachers as the usage presented in this lesson does not seem consistent with that presented in sites such the link offered by Chris, nor with texts such as Grammaire progressive du Français.

Like02 years ago

RobinA2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

It would be nice to be able to refer to a list of verbs that use prepositions.

Like02 years ago

CécileKwiziq team member

Hi Robin,

It is in my To-Do list....

Like02 years ago

BillC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Here's one! Not exhaustive of course, but has a lot of verbs.

https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verbs-with-prepositions/

Like02 years ago