De + qui, duquel, de laquelle, dont = Of/about whom (relative pronouns)

Hi Mintoo,

Because the verb in French is 'penser à '.

Hi Mintoo,

Because the verb in French is 'penser à '.

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

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)

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.  

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).

Thanks!

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.

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!

Bonjour Arash ! Actually, you never use "de quoi" in this context! To refer to an object, you will always use "dont", and sometimes "de laquelle". I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !

It seems I use "de quoi" occasionally. I am not a native French speaker, but I speak French frequently and "de quoi" doesn't SOUND incorrect. When If ever would one use "de quoi"? Don't get me wrong - I'd be happy to jettison this expression.

- 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

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

Ron,

That is the best and most concise answer/description I have ever seen regarding this subject.

Magnifique.

Regards

Allen (AB)