Complex Variable Relative Pronouns: The "Lequel" Family

Beyond Qui, Que, Dont, Où

The simple relative pronouns qui, que, dont, and où are studied in relative pronouns: qui, que, dont, and où. After a preposition such as avec, sur, pour, or dans, the pronoun qui can refer only to persons. When the antecedent is a thing or an animal, the variable relative pronouns lequel, laquelle, lesquels, and lesquelles are required.

Forms of the Variable Relative Pronoun

Key Rules

1. After any preposition other than à and de, the lequel family is used when the antecedent is a thing or an animal. For instance: La raison pour laquelle je suis parti…
2. When the antecedent is a person, both qui and the lequel form are possible after a preposition, but qui is more common: Le collègue avec qui je travaille or Le collègue avec lequel je travaille.
3. With the prepositions à and de, obligatory contractions occur. These contractions follow the same pattern as the definite article (see cardinal prepositions):
- à + lequel → auquel
- à + lesquels → auxquels
- à + lesquelles → auxquelles
- de + lequel → duquel
- de + lesquels → desquels
- de + lesquelles → desquelles
The detailed use of these contracted forms will be the subject of subsequent lessons.