Rules and usage
Relative pronouns link two clauses by referring back to a noun (the antecedent) in the main clause. In French, the choice between qui, que, dont, and où depends on the grammatical role the pronoun plays in the subordinate clause. Mastering these four pronouns unlocks the ability to write more complex and natural French sentences.
Understanding the Four Relative Pronouns
Each relative pronoun has a specific grammatical function. Qui is the subject of the relative clause. Que is the direct object. Dont replaces the object of the preposition de. Où refers to a place or sometimes a time. The antecedent is the noun the pronoun refers back to, and this is always expressed in the main clause.
✅ Positive sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| La femme qui habite ici est très gentille. | The woman who lives here is very kind. |
| Le livre que j'ai lu hier était magnifique. | The book that I read yesterday was beautiful. |
⛔ Negative sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| L'homme qui ne parle pas français vient d'Asie. | The man who doesn't speak French comes from Asia. |
| Le film que je n'aime pas est trop long. | The film that I don't like is too long. |
❓ Question sentence examples
| French | English |
|---|
| Qui est l'enfant qui crie? | Who is the child who is crying? |
| Que penses-tu de la maison que tu as visitée? | What do you think of the house that you visited? |