1. The relative pronouns “qui” and “que” Notes #3

2. What is a relative pronoun? The relative pronouns “qui” and “que” are used to combine two shorter sentences into one longer one. The relative pronouns “qui” and “que” are used to combine two shorter sentences into one longer one. They are called relative pronouns because they “relate” or connect the two shorter sentences to one another They are called relative pronouns because they “relate” or connect the two shorter sentences to one another “qui” means who, which, or that and may refer to a person or a thing. “qui” means who, which, or that and may refer to a person or a thing. “que” means that, whom, or which and may refer to a person or a thing. “que” means that, whom, or which and may refer to a person or a thing.

3. Look at how these two sentences are combined with “qui”… J’achète le bracelet. Le bracelet est en or. J’achète le bracelet. Le bracelet est en or. Combined: J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. Combined: J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. Here, “qui” means that, but it is acting as the subject of the second clause “qui est en or.” Here, “qui” means that, but it is acting as the subject of the second clause “qui est en or.”

4. Look at how these two sentences are combined with “que”… J’achète le bracelet. Ma mère adore le bracelet. J’achète le bracelet. Ma mère adore le bracelet. Combined: J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. Combined: J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. Here “que” also means that, but unlike “qui”, it is being used as the direct object. Here “que” also means that, but unlike “qui”, it is being used as the direct object.

5. Compare the two sentences J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. Why is “qui” used to mean “that” in one sentence? And “que” used to mean “that” in another? Why is “qui” used to mean “that” in one sentence? And “que” used to mean “that” in another?

6. Because… 1)J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. 1)J’achète le bracelet qui est en or. 2)J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. 2)J’achète le bracelet que ma mère adore. Rule: “Qui” is used when you need a subject for your second clause and “Que” is used when you already have a subject for the second clause. Rule: “Qui” is used when you need a subject for your second clause and “Que” is used when you already have a subject for the second clause.

7. Ex: Jacques adore sa nouvelle montre qui est suisse. (here we use “qui” because the verb “est” needs a subject.) Ex: Jacques adore sa nouvelle montre qui est suisse. (here we use “qui” because the verb “est” needs a subject.) Ex: L’homme que Rose invite à la boum est très sympa. (here we use “que” because we have a subject for the second clause “Rose”. Ex: L’homme que Rose invite à la boum est très sympa. (here we use “que” because we have a subject for the second clause “Rose”.

8. Au passé composé You remember that the past participle of a verb in the passé composé agrees in gender and number with the preceeding direct object pronoun. Since “que” is used as a direct object pronoun, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the word that “que” refers to. You remember that the past participle of a verb in the passé composé agrees in gender and number with the preceeding direct object pronoun. Since “que” is used as a direct object pronoun, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the word that “que” refers to. Ex: La montre que Luc a offerte à Claude est belle. Ex: La montre que Luc a offerte à Claude est belle.