French grammar: pronoms relatifs composés

What this grammar point covers

In French, 'les pronoms relatifs composés' (compound relative pronouns) are words like 'lequel', 'laquelle', 'lesquels', 'lesquelles', and their forms with prepositions (e.g., 'avec lequel'). They connect two sentences and refer to a noun mentioned before, adding more information.

When to use it

Use these pronouns in French when you need to refer to a specific noun after a preposition (like 'avec', 'à', 'de', 'pour', etc.) and you want to give more information about it. They agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.

Key forms

• lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles
• auquel, à laquelle, auxquels, auxquelles
• duquel, de laquelle, desquels, desquelles

Examples

Tips

• Always make sure 'lequel' and its forms agree in gender and number with the noun they refer to.
• Use 'auquel', 'duquel', etc., after the prepositions 'à' or 'de'.
• Never use 'qui' or 'que' after a preposition when referring to things; use the correct form of 'lequel' instead.

Exceptions and edge cases

• Some prepositions like 'chez', 'entre', 'parmi' do not use 'lequel' forms.
• After prepositions like 'avec', 'pour', 'sans', use the correct 'lequel' form.