How do you know which of the appropriate options (de qui, dont, duquel, etc.) you should use?
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ClareKwiziq community member
How do you know which of the appropriate options (de qui, dont, duquel, etc.) you should use?
Does it depend on whether you're speaking or writing? Is one used more frequently in conversation vs. when writing in French? Any additional explanation you can give would be greatly appreciated! I've always struggle with this and can't seem to understand these words enough to employ them. Thank you!
This question relates to:French lesson "De + qui, duquel, de laquelle, dont = Of/about whom (relative pronouns)"
Asked 4 years ago

Ron Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
- 1) de qui (of/about whom), which can only apply to living things, usually people.
- 2) dont -- Use dont if the subordinate clause needs an object introduced by de/d'. Such clauses may indicate possession or they may contain verbs which are followed by the preposition de. Some of these verbs include 'parler de' (to talk about); 'avoir besoin de' (to need); 'avoir peur de' (to be afraid of); 'tenir de' (to take after).
- 3) duquel -- The contracted forms of de + quel (of/about which): duquel / de laquelle / desquels / desquelles
Note: these forms agree in gender and number with the object they refer to
Note: you can never have de or duquel or dont at the end of the clause like in English.
e.g. you cannot say La fille qui je parle de / La fille laquelle je parle de / La fille je parle dont (The girl I'm speaking of)
Preposition Masculine singular Masculine plural Feminine singular Feminine plural
lequel lesquels laquelle lesquelles
with à auquel auxquels à laquelle auxquelles
with de duquel desquels de laquelle desquelles

Ron Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Lequel, lesquels, laquelle, lesquelles are pronouns, i.e. they are used in place of a noun. They are used to ask the questions 'which one?' or 'which ones?' They assume the number and gender of the nouns they replace and contract with the prepositions à and de.
Preposition Masculine singular Masculine plural Feminine singular Feminine plural
lequel lesquels laquelle lesquelles
with à auquel auxquels à laquelle auxquelles
with de duquel desquels de laquelle desquelles
AllenKwiziq community member
Ron,
That is the best and most concise answer/description I have ever seen regarding this subject.
Magnifique.
Regards
Allen (AB)
Clare asked:View original
How do you know which of the appropriate options (de qui, dont, duquel, etc.) you should use?
Does it depend on whether you're speaking or writing? Is one used more frequently in conversation vs. when writing in French? Any additional explanation you can give would be greatly appreciated! I've always struggle with this and can't seem to understand these words enough to employ them. Thank you!
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