RELATIVE PRONOUNS II
Que, Qui, Dont
Ce qui, Ce qui, Ce dont

A. 1. If the antecedent noun (in the main clause) is subject of the verb in the dependent clause, use the relative pronoun "qui" to link the two clauses.

2. If the antecedent noun is direct object of the verb in the dependent clause, use the relative pronoun "que" to link the two clauses.

3. If the antecedent noun is the object of an expression requiring the preposition "de" in the dependent clause, use the relative pronoun "dont" to link the two clauses.

Examples:
1. Elle a passé un examen qui est difficile.
2. Elle a passé les examens que tu as écrits.*
3. Elle a passé celui dont tu as parlé.
4. Elle a vu le père dont la fille est brillante.

*Note, that a past participle in a subordinate clause agrees with the antecedent noun of the relative pronoun "que."

Exercises. Translate (whole sentences):Click for vocabulary help
1. She spoke to the farmer who was working in his field.

2. They know the government employee whom you met yesterday
(to meet=faire la connaissance de).
.
3. What is the name of the play that you read to us yesterday?

B. If the antecedent of "qui," "que," or "dont" refers to an indefinite idea that has not been mentioned or to a clause, this antecedent is "ce." It is often translated as "what" or "which." If "ce qui," "ce que," or "ce dont" are preceded by "tout" they mean "everything that" or "all that."

Examples:
1. Donnez-lui ce dont il aura besoin pour vivre seul dans un appartement.= Give him what he will need in order to live alone in an apartment.
2. Tout ce qui est bon pour la santé n'est pas nécessairement agréable à manger.=Everything that is good for one's health is not necessarily good to eat.
3. Voilà ce que je n'accepterai jamais.=That's what I will never accept.

Exercises:Click for vocabulary help
1. They worked hard, which was what mattered.

2. Does she know what he writes about?

3.Do what you can.

Exercises (que, ce que, qui, ce qui, dont, ce dont). (complete sentences):
Click for vocabulary help
1. Bring the book that you spoke about.

2. We translated what he said.

3. He knows what would make her happy.

4. Show me the elementary teacher whose classroom is big enough.

5. The girl that I marry will have long blond hair.

6. What she wants ("avoir envie de") is to be famous.

7. The film that interests me will be shown this evening. (Avoid the passive voice)

Vocabulary:
the farmer=l'agriculteur
the field=le champ
the government worker=le fonctionnaire
the play=la pièce
to make happy=rendre heureux
to matter=importer
to translate=traduire (conjugated by conduire)
elementary teacher=l'instituteur/l'institutrice
to marry=épouser
famous=célèbre
to have X hair=avoir les cheveux + X
to show a film=passer un film

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