Prepositional Relatives: The "Auquel" Family

When the Verb Calls for “à”

The variable relative pronouns of the lequel family are introduced in complex variable relative pronouns. When the verb or expression inside the relative clause requires the preposition à, this preposition must combine with the appropriate form of lequel to produce a contracted relative pronoun. These contractions are obligatory and follow the same pattern as the definite article after à (see cardinal prepositions).

Contractions of à + Lequel

Common Verbs and Expressions Requiring à

The following verbs and expressions govern the preposition à and therefore call for the auquel family when the antecedent is a thing:
- penser à (to think about): le projet auquel je pense
- assister à (to attend): la conférence à laquelle j’ai assisté
- participer à (to participate in): les débats auxquels il a participé
- s’intéresser à (to be interested in): le sujet auquel elle s’intéresse
- tenir à (to be attached to / to care about): les valeurs auxquelles nous tenons
- faire attention à (to pay attention to): le détail auquel tu dois faire attention

Distinction Between People and Things

When the antecedent is a person, both the preposition à followed by qui and the auquel form are grammatically acceptable. The construction with qui is more frequent in everyday usage (Le collègue à qui j’ai parlé.), while auquel is slightly more formal (Le collègue auquel j’ai parlé.). For things, only the auquel family is permitted.