B1 Relative Clauses 17 min read Medium

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions (con que, a quien)

Always place the preposition before que (for things) or quien (for people) to link your sentences correctly.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

When a preposition (con, de, a, en) precedes a relative pronoun, you must use 'que' or 'quien' with an article.

  • Use 'el/la/los/las que' for things: 'La casa en la que vivo.'
  • Use 'quien/quienes' for people: 'El amigo con quien hablo.'
  • Always place the preposition before the relative pronoun: 'La silla en la que me senté.'
Preposition + [el/la/los/las] + que / quien + Verb

Overview

Learning to connect ideas smoothly is fundamental in any language, and Spanish is no exception. At the A1 level, you often form simple, direct sentences. However, to describe things and people more elaborately, you need a way to link information without sounding repetitive or unnatural.

This is where relative pronouns with prepositions become indispensable. They act as bridges, seamlessly merging two distinct thoughts into one coherent sentence.

Unlike English, where prepositions can sometimes appear at the end of a clause (e.g., "the friend I talk to"), Spanish strictly requires the preposition to precede the relative pronoun. This fixed word order, preposition + relative pronoun, is a foundational aspect of Spanish syntax. Mastering it not only enhances your descriptive abilities but also helps you sound more like a native speaker, avoiding common beginner errors that immediately mark you as a non-native.

This structure allows you to identify specific nouns or individuals by providing crucial contextual information about them.

Consider the difference between two choppy sentences like Tengo un amigo. Hablo con él. (I have a friend. I talk with him.) and the fluid Tengo un amigo con quien hablo. (I have a friend with whom I talk.).

The latter conveys the same information concisely and elegantly, which is the goal of this grammar point. This rule clarifies how a person or thing relates to an action, making your descriptions precise and your communication more efficient. It’s an essential tool for moving beyond basic sentence structures and expressing more complex relationships between ideas.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, a relative pronoun acts as a substitute for a noun already mentioned in the sentence, preventing awkward repetition. When combined with a preposition, it explains the relationship between that noun (the antecedent) and the action described in the second part of the sentence. For A1 learners, the primary relative pronouns you will encounter in this structure are que (for things) and quien (for people).
The Role of Prepositions: Prepositions like con (with), a (to), de (of/from/about), and en (in/on/at) are small but mighty words that establish connections. They specify direction, association, possession, location, or topic. In Spanish, these prepositions are intrinsically linked to the noun or pronoun they govern.
When a relative pronoun stands in for that noun, the preposition must come directly before it. This principle ensures clarity and adheres to Spanish grammatical rules, where prepositions are never left "dangling" at the end of a clause. This strict adjacency is a key differentiator from English.
Choosing the Correct Relative Pronoun:
  • que: Use que when the antecedent (the noun you are referring back to) is a thing or an animal. Que is invariant; it does not change for gender or number. This makes it straightforward for beginners.
  • Es el libro en que encontré la respuesta. (It's the book in which I found the answer.) Here, que refers to el libro (a thing), and en indicates the location.
  • La casa con que soñaba era grande. (The house with which I dreamed was big.) Here, que refers to la casa (a thing), and con indicates the object of the dream.
  • quien / quienes: Use quien when the antecedent is a person or a personalized entity. Quien must agree in number with the person(s) it refers to:
  • quien (singular) for one person.
  • quienes (plural) for two or more people.
  • El estudiante a quien ayudé es muy amable. (The student to whom I helped is very kind.) Here, quien refers to el estudiante (a person), and a indicates the indirect object.
  • Mis amigos con quienes viajo están aquí. (My friends with whom I travel are here.) Here, quienes refers to mis amigos (plural people), and con indicates accompaniment.
This distinction between que for things and quien/quienes for people after a preposition is fundamental. While que can sometimes refer to people without a preceding preposition, its use with prepositions for people is generally avoided in standard Spanish, particularly at this foundational level. Adhering to this que for things, quien/quienes for people rule will ensure your sentences are grammatically sound and universally understood.
The quien form is often perceived as more formal or literary, but it is entirely natural and common in everyday speech when a preposition is involved.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming sentences with relative pronouns and prepositions involves a consistent and logical pattern. Think of it as assembling blocks in a specific order: the preposition always comes first, followed by the appropriate relative pronoun, which then introduces the new clause. This structure ensures that the meaning is clear and grammatically correct in Spanish. There are no exceptions at this A1 level; the order is fixed.
2
Follow these steps to construct your sentences:
3
Identify the Antecedent: This is the noun (a person, place, or thing) in the main clause that you want to describe further. For example, el libro (the book), la chica (the girl), los problemas (the problems).
4
Determine the Relationship: How does the antecedent relate to the action in the second clause? This relationship dictates the preposition you need. Common prepositions include con (with), a (to), de (of, from, about), en (in, on, at), para (for), por (by, for, through).
5
If you are with someone or something, use con.
6
If you are going to someone or something (as an indirect object), use a.
7
If you are talking about someone or something, or it's from them, use de.
8
If you are in or on something, use en.
9
Choose the Relative Pronoun: Based on whether the antecedent is a person or a thing, select the correct relative pronoun.
10
For things or animals: use que.
11
For people: use quien (singular) or quienes (plural).
12
Combine the Elements: Place the preposition directly before the chosen relative pronoun, and then follow with the new clause that provides more information about the antecedent. The formula is simply: [Preposition] + [Relative Pronoun] + [Verb Phrase].
13
Here’s a table summarizing the basic patterns for A1:
14
| Antecedent Type | Preposition + Pronoun | Example (Spanish) | Example (English) |
15
| :-------------- | :-------------------- | :---------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
16
| Thing | con que | La cámara con que tomo fotos. | The camera with which I take photos. |
17
| Thing | de que | El problema de que hablamos. | The problem about which we speak. |
18
| Thing | en que | La ciudad en que vivo es grande. | The city in which I live is big. |
19
| Person | a quien | La amiga a quien llamé. | The friend to whom I called. |
20
| Person | con quien | Mi hermana con quien trabajo. | My sister with whom I work. |
21
| People | de quienes | Los profesores de quienes aprendemos. | The teachers from whom we learn. |
22
Notice that the preposition is integral to the meaning and links the verb of the second clause (e.g., tomo fotos, hablamos, vivo, llamé, trabajo, aprendemos) to the antecedent (cámara, problema, ciudad, amiga, hermana, profesores). This precise structure leaves no room for ambiguity about the relationship being described. Understanding that the preposition is often dictated by the verb or the inherent relationship is key. For instance, you hablar de algo (talk about something) or soñar con algo (dream about something/dream with something).

When To Use It

Relative pronouns with prepositions are fundamental for adding detail and precision to your Spanish. They allow you to transform simple statements into richer, more descriptive sentences, which is essential for natural communication. You will use this grammatical structure every time you need to specify which person or thing you are referring to by describing an action or relationship involving it, particularly when that relationship requires a preposition.
Here are the most common scenarios where this construction is indispensable:
  • To Avoid Repetition: This is the primary function. Instead of repeating a noun or using a separate, clunky sentence, you connect ideas seamlessly. For example, instead of Tengo una bicicleta. Voy al trabajo con la bicicleta., you say Tengo una bicicleta con que voy al trabajo. (I have a bicycle with which I go to work.). This creates a much smoother flow of information.
  • To Specify or Define: You use this structure to clarify which specific person, place, or thing you are talking about. These are called defining clauses because they are essential for identifying the antecedent.
  • La silla en que me siento es cómoda. (The chair in which I sit is comfortable.) Without en que me siento, it would just be La silla es cómoda, which lacks specificity.
  • El chico a quien presté mi lápiz lo perdió. (The boy to whom I lent my pencil lost it.) Here, a quien presté mi lápiz tells us exactly which boy.
  • With Verbs That Require Prepositions: Many Spanish verbs inherently pair with certain prepositions. When the object of such a verb is the antecedent, the preposition must precede the relative pronoun. This is a crucial concept for A1 learners.
  • hablar de (to talk about): La película de que todos hablan es excelente. (The movie about which everyone talks is excellent.)
  • pensar en (to think about): La situación en que pensamos es complicada. (The situation about which we think is complicated.)
  • soñar con (to dream about): El futuro con que soñaba era mejor. (The future of which I dreamed was better.)
  • confiar en (to trust in): La persona en quien confío es mi madre. (The person in whom I trust is my mother.)
  • depender de (to depend on): El éxito de que dependemos es incierto. (The success on which we depend is uncertain.)
  • Describing Tools, Places, or Companions: Any time you need to express with which, in which, to whom, from whom, etc., this structure is your go-to.
  • El bolígrafo con que firmé el contrato no funciona. (The pen with which I signed the contract does not work.)
  • El café en que nos conocimos cerró. (The cafe in which we met closed.)
  • Mis vecinos a quienes saludo cada día son amables. (My neighbors to whom I say hello every day are kind.)
By consistently applying this rule, you will not only make your Spanish clearer and more precise but also elevate it beyond basic, choppy sentences. It is a cornerstone of descriptive language and enables you to articulate more nuanced relationships between elements in your speech and writing.

Common Mistakes

For English speakers learning Spanish, relative pronouns with prepositions present several common pitfalls. These errors often stem from directly translating English sentence structures or not fully grasping the strict syntactic rules of Spanish. Recognizing and actively correcting these mistakes is crucial for developing accurate and natural-sounding Spanish.
  1. 1The "Dangling" Preposition: This is arguably the most frequent and glaring error. In English, it is perfectly acceptable to end a sentence or clause with a preposition: "This is the house I live in." or "He's the guy I work with." In Spanish, this is strictly forbidden. Prepositions must always precede the relative pronoun.
  • Incorrect: La casa que vivo en. (Direct translation of "The house I live in.")
  • Correct: La casa en que vivo. (The house in which I live.)
  • Incorrect: El hombre que hablo con.
  • Correct: El hombre con quien hablo.
Always remember the preposition and relative pronoun are a tight unit in Spanish; they cannot be separated.
  1. 1Using que for People After a Preposition: While que is very versatile, when a preposition precedes it, quien/quienes is the standard and preferred choice for referring to people.
  • Incorrect: La chica con que fui al cine. (Although sometimes heard in very informal speech, it's not standard for A1.)
  • Correct: La chica con quien fui al cine. (The girl with whom I went to the cinema.)
The rule of thumb for A1 is: que for things, quien/quienes for people when a preposition is involved. This will save you from ambiguity and grammatical inaccuracies.
  1. 1Forgetting Plural quienes: Quien must agree in number with the person(s) it refers to. Failing to use quienes for plural antecedents is a common oversight.
  • Incorrect: Mis padres a quien quiero mucho. (Refers to multiple people with a singular pronoun.)
  • Correct: Mis padres a quienes quiero mucho. (My parents whom I love very much.)
Always check if the person you're referring to is singular or plural and adjust quien accordingly.
  1. 1Misplacing the Preposition Entirely: Sometimes learners omit the preposition or place it incorrectly, often because they don't recognize that the verb in the relative clause requires a specific preposition.
  • Incorrect: Los libros que hablo son interesantes. (This literally translates to "The books that I talk are interesting," missing the crucial "about.")
  • Correct: Los libros de que hablo son interesantes. (The books about which I talk are interesting.)
This error highlights the importance of learning Spanish verbs with their inherent prepositions (e.g., hablar de, pensar en, depender de). If the verb in the relative clause requires a preposition to connect to its object (the antecedent), that preposition must appear before the relative pronoun.
By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can actively improve your Spanish accuracy. The key is to always think: "Preposition first, then relative pronoun, and make sure quien matches the number of people."

Real Conversations

Understanding how relative pronouns with prepositions function in theory is one thing; observing their use in everyday, natural Spanish is another. These structures are not confined to formal writing; they are integral to how native speakers communicate efficiently in various contexts, from casual chats to more formal discussions. For an A1 learner, recognizing these patterns will unlock many possibilities for clearer expression.

In casual conversation, you'll hear and use these structures to describe shared experiences or objects. Imagine telling a friend about a recent trip:

- Describing a place: El hotel en que nos quedamos era precioso. (The hotel in which we stayed was beautiful.) This is far more natural than El hotel era precioso. Nos quedamos en el hotel.

- Describing a person: Conocí a una chica con quien hablé toda la noche. (I met a girl with whom I talked all night.) Here, con quien smoothly introduces the interaction with the girl.

On social media or in text messages, where conciseness is often valued, this grammar allows for dense, informative sentences without being overly formal. You might see comments like:

- ¡Qué foto! La playa en que estás es increíble. (What a photo! The beach on which you are is incredible.)

- Mi amigo, con quien voy al concierto, es un gran fan. (My friend, with whom I'm going to the concert, is a big fan.)

Even in slightly more formal settings, such as school assignments or work emails (at a simple A1 level), these structures maintain clarity and professionalism:

- Adjunto el documento en que se explica el proceso. (I attach the document in which the process is explained.)

- El equipo con que trabajamos es muy eficiente. (The team with which we work is very efficient.)

While quien can sometimes sound a touch more formal than que in certain contexts, after a preposition, quien for people is completely natural and common across all registers of spoken Spanish. In Latin American Spanish, you might occasionally hear que used for people after prepositions in very informal speech, or the use of el/la que. However, for A1 learners aiming for universally correct and clear Spanish, consistently using quien/quienes for people and que for things after a preposition is the safest and most effective approach. This ensures you are always understood and sound grammatically sound.

Spanish speakers appreciate directness and clarity, and these constructions help achieve that by forming a single, elegant thought rather than fragmented ideas. They are a sign of growing fluency and a deeper understanding of Spanish sentence structure.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions that A1 learners often have about relative pronouns with prepositions, clarifying common points of confusion.
  • Q: Can I ever put the preposition at the end of the sentence in Spanish, like in English?
  • A: Absolutely not. This is one of the most fundamental differences between English and Spanish grammar. In Spanish, prepositions must always immediately precede the noun or pronoun they govern. So, la casa en que vivo is correct, never la casa que vivo en.
  • Q: Is que acceptable for people after a preposition in any situation?
  • A: While you might hear que used for people after prepositions in very informal spoken Spanish, especially in certain regions of Latin America, it is not standard and can sound incorrect or ambiguous to many native speakers. For A1 learners, stick to quien (singular) or quienes (plural) for people after a preposition. This is always grammatically correct and widely understood.
  • Q: When should I use quien versus quienes?
  • A: Quien is used when referring to a single person. Quienes is used when referring to multiple people. Always ensure the relative pronoun agrees in number with the person or people it replaces. For example, la chica con quien hablo but los chicos con quienes hablo.
  • Q: Do I need to use an article (el, la, los, las) before que or quien when a preposition is involved?
  • A: No, not at this level. When directly following a preposition (e.g., con que, a quien), the relative pronoun itself ( que or quien/quienes) is used without an additional article. Structures like el que or la cual exist, but they are more advanced and serve different purposes (often for clarity when there are multiple possible antecedents, or to sound more formal) and are not part of the A1 rule set for preposition + relative pronoun.
  • Q: How do I know which preposition to use?
  • A: The preposition is determined by the relationship it expresses or by the verb in the relative clause. Many verbs inherently require specific prepositions to complete their meaning (e.g., hablar de, pensar en, soñar con, ir a). You must learn these verb-preposition combinations as vocabulary items. If the verb hablar means "to talk," then "to talk about" is hablar de, and this de must precede the relative pronoun. El tema de que hablamos. (The topic about which we talk.)
  • Q: Are there situations where I don't use a relative pronoun with a preposition to describe something?
  • A: Yes. If there is no prepositional relationship involved, you'd use a simple que. For example, La película que vi anoche era buena. (The movie that I saw last night was good.) Here, la película is the direct object of vi, so no preposition is needed. The preposition only comes into play when the antecedent is the object of a preposition in the relative clause.
  • Q: Is quien always more formal?
  • A: While quien can add a touch of formality, it is very commonly used in everyday spoken Spanish after a preposition and does not sound overly formal or out of place. It is a precise way to refer to people. Opting for quien/quienes after a preposition ensures you are always grammatically correct and understood clearly by all Spanish speakers.
By keeping these answers in mind, you can navigate the use of relative pronouns with prepositions with greater confidence and accuracy. Consistent practice and attention to the required preposition for verbs will solidify your understanding.

Relative Pronoun Selection

Antecedent Type Pronoun (Things) Pronoun (People) Example
Masculine Singular
el que / el cual
quien
El coche en el que voy
Feminine Singular
la que / la cual
quien
La silla en la que me siento
Masculine Plural
los que / los cuales
quienes
Los libros de los que hablo
Feminine Plural
las que / las cuales
quienes
Las chicas con quienes hablo

Common Prepositional Combinations

Preposition Pronoun Result
de
el que
del que
a
el que
al que

Meanings

This rule governs how we connect clauses when a preposition is required by the verb or phrase.

1

People

Used when referring to a person after a preposition.

“El hombre con quien trabajo.”

“La mujer a quien escribí.”

2

Things/Concepts

Used when referring to inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

“El libro del que hablas.”

“La mesa en la que comemos.”

3

Formal/Literary

Used in formal writing or high-register speech.

“La causa por la cual luchamos.”

“El motivo por el cual me fui.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Relative Pronouns with Prepositions (con que, a quien)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Prep + Article + que
La casa en la que vivo
People
Prep + quien
El amigo con quien hablo
Plural
Prep + Articles + que
Los temas de los que hablo
Formal
Prep + el/la cual
El motivo por el cual vine
Negative
No + Verb + Prep + Pronoun
No es la casa en la que vivo
Question
Prep + Pronoun + Verb?
¿Con quién hablas?
Short Answer
Prep + Pronoun
Con quien trabajo

Formality Spectrum

Formal
La persona con la cual trabajo.

La persona con la cual trabajo. (Workplace)

Neutral
La persona con quien trabajo.

La persona con quien trabajo. (Workplace)

Informal
La persona con la que trabajo.

La persona con la que trabajo. (Workplace)

Slang
La persona con quien curro.

La persona con quien curro. (Workplace)

Relative Pronoun Decision Tree

Relative Pronoun

Person

  • quien who

Thing

  • el/la que which
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Examples by Level

1

La chica con la que hablo.

The girl with whom I speak.

2

El libro en el que leo.

The book in which I read.

3

La casa en la que vivo.

The house in which I live.

4

El amigo con quien salgo.

The friend with whom I go out.

1

La persona a quien escribí.

The person to whom I wrote.

2

Los problemas de los que hablas.

The problems of which you speak.

3

La empresa para la que trabajo.

The company for which I work.

4

Los niños con quienes juego.

The children with whom I play.

1

El proyecto en el cual trabajo.

The project on which I am working.

2

Las razones por las que no fui.

The reasons for which I didn't go.

3

El colega con quien me reuní.

The colleague with whom I met.

4

La ciudad de la que vengo.

The city from which I come.

1

La situación ante la cual nos enfrentamos.

The situation we are facing.

2

Las personas con quienes comparto mi vida.

The people with whom I share my life.

3

El tema sobre el que discutimos.

The topic about which we argued.

4

La ley bajo la cual operamos.

The law under which we operate.

1

El autor mediante el cual aprendí.

The author through whom I learned.

2

Los principios sobre los cuales se basa.

The principles on which it is based.

3

La mujer a quien tanto admiro.

The woman whom I admire so much.

4

El contexto en el cual se desarrolla.

The context in which it develops.

1

La causa por la cual se sacrificó.

The cause for which he sacrificed himself.

2

El entorno en el que nos movemos.

The environment in which we move.

3

Los amigos con quienes he compartido todo.

The friends with whom I have shared everything.

4

La meta hacia la que nos dirigimos.

The goal toward which we are heading.

Easily Confused

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions (con que, a quien) vs Que vs. Quien

Learners use 'que' for people.

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions (con que, a quien) vs Dangling Prepositions

Learners follow English word order.

Relative Pronouns with Prepositions (con que, a quien) vs Missing Articles

Learners forget the article before 'que'.

Common Mistakes

✗

La casa que vivo en.

✓

La casa en la que vivo.

Dangling preposition.
✗

El amigo con que hablo.

✓

El amigo con quien hablo.

Using 'que' for a person.
✗

La mesa en que como.

✓

La mesa en la que como.

Missing article.
✗

El libro de que hablo.

✓

El libro del que hablo.

Missing contraction.
✗

La chica que hablo con.

✓

La chica con la que hablo.

Dangling preposition.
✗

El lugar a que voy.

✓

El lugar al que voy.

Missing contraction.
✗

Los amigos con que salgo.

✓

Los amigos con quienes salgo.

Wrong number for people.
✗

La razón por que vine.

✓

La razón por la que vine.

Missing article.
✗

El hombre con que trabajo.

✓

El hombre con quien trabajo.

Using 'que' for people.
✗

La ley en que se basa.

✓

La ley en la que se basa.

Missing article.
✗

El motivo por que lo hice.

✓

El motivo por el cual lo hice.

Missing article/wrong pronoun.
✗

Las personas a que me refiero.

✓

Las personas a quienes me refiero.

Wrong pronoun for people.
✗

El contexto en que ocurre.

✓

El contexto en el cual ocurre.

Missing article.

Sentence Patterns

La ___ en la que vivo es grande.

El amigo con ___ hablo es simpático.

Las razones por las ___ vine son personales.

El proyecto ___ el que trabajo es importante.

Real World Usage

Social Media common

La foto en la que salgo.

Job Interview very common

La empresa para la que trabajo.

Texting common

El lugar al que vamos.

Travel common

El hotel en el que me quedé.

Food Delivery occasional

El restaurante del que pedí.

Academic Writing very common

El tema sobre el cual escribo.

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💡

Check the Verb

Look at the verb in the relative clause. If it needs a preposition (e.g., 'hablar de'), you need one here.
⚠️

No Dangling

Never end a Spanish sentence with a preposition like 'en' or 'con'.
🎯

Use 'Quien' for People

It makes your Spanish sound much more natural and precise.
💬

Formal vs Informal

Use 'el cual' for formal writing and 'el que' for daily conversation.

Smart Tips

Always put the preposition before the relative pronoun.

La casa que vivo en. → La casa en la que vivo.

Use 'quien' instead of 'que'.

El hombre que hablo con. → El hombre con quien hablo.

Make sure the article matches.

Los amigos con el que salgo. → Los amigos con quienes salgo.

Use 'el cual' to sound professional.

El tema del que hablo. → El tema sobre el cual hablo.

Pronunciation

en-la-que

Linking

Ensure the preposition flows into the article.

Statement

La casa en la que vivo es grande.

Falling intonation at the end.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Preposition first, then the pronoun—don't let the preposition roam!

Visual Association

Imagine a train where the preposition is the engine and the relative pronoun is the first car. They must stay coupled together.

Rhyme

If you need a preposition, don't be a fool, put it before the pronoun, that's the rule!

Story

Maria is looking for her keys. She says, 'The table on which I left them is empty.' She asks her friend, 'The person with whom I spoke, where is he?' She finds them in the bag in which she put them.

Word Web

condeenporquienel quela que

Challenge

Write 5 sentences describing your daily routine using at least one prepositional relative clause in each.

Cultural Notes

Use of 'el cual' is more common in formal writing.

People often use 'que' even when they should use 'quien' in casual speech.

Voseo doesn't affect this rule, but 'quien' is used frequently.

Derived from Latin relative pronouns.

Conversation Starters

“

¿Cuál es la ciudad en la que naciste?

“

¿Quién es la persona con quien más hablas?

“

¿Cuál es el proyecto en el que trabajas actualmente?

“

¿Cuál es la razón por la que aprendes español?

Journal Prompts

Describe your house using relative clauses.
Write about your best friend.
Describe your job or studies.
Explain a difficult decision you made.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

La casa ___ vivo es pequeña.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en la que
Requires preposition and article.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

El amigo ___ hablo es Juan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: con quien
Requires preposition for person.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

La chica que hablo con es mi amiga.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La chica con la que hablo...
Dangling preposition.
Transform to formal. Sentence Transformation

El libro del que hablo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El libro sobre el cual hablo.
Formal alternative.
Match the preposition. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Verb-preposition pairs.
Choose the correct article. Multiple Choice

La mesa ___ como es de madera.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en la que
Agreement with 'mesa'.
Fill in the blank.

Los problemas ___ hablas son serios.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: de los que
Agreement with 'problemas'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

La razón por que vine es secreta.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La razón por la que...
Needs article.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

La casa ___ vivo es pequeña.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en la que
Requires preposition and article.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

El amigo ___ hablo es Juan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: con quien
Requires preposition for person.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

La chica que hablo con es mi amiga.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La chica con la que hablo...
Dangling preposition.
Transform to formal. Sentence Transformation

El libro del que hablo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El libro sobre el cual hablo.
Formal alternative.
Match the preposition. Match Pairs

Match verb to preposition.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Verb-preposition pairs.
Choose the correct article. Multiple Choice

La mesa ___ como es de madera.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en la que
Agreement with 'mesa'.
Fill in the blank.

Los problemas ___ hablas son serios.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: de los que
Agreement with 'problemas'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

La razón por que vine es secreta.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La razón por la que...
Needs article.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

El libro de ___ hablas es muy aburrido.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: que
Correct the mistake Error Correction

El hombre que trabajo para es muy serio.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El hombre para quien trabajo es muy serio.
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence Sentence Reorder

amiga / es / con / estudio / La / quien / Ana

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La amiga con quien estudio es Ana.
Translate to Spanish Translation

The house in which I live is big.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: La casa en que vivo es grande.
Select the correct option Multiple Choice

Los padres a ___ escribo viven en Perú.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quienes
Match the prepositional phrases Match Pairs

Match the Spanish to the English

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: con quien | with whom, en que | in which, de que | about which (thing), a quienes | to whom (plural)
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

La película de ___ hablamos ganó un Oscar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: que
Correct the mistake Error Correction

Mis hermanos con quien vivo son divertidos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mis hermanos con quienes vivo son divertidos.
Which one fits? Multiple Choice

La oficina ___ trabajo es moderna.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: en que
Translate to Spanish Translation

The boy with whom I go to the party is Mario.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: El chico con quien voy a la fiesta es Mario.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Sometimes, but 'el que' is clearer and more common after prepositions.

Spanish grammar rules require the preposition to precede the relative pronoun.

Yes, 'quien' is specifically for people.

Use 'los que' or 'las que' to match the gender and number.

It is more formal and often used in writing to avoid ambiguity.

It depends on the verb (e.g., 'hablar de', 'ir a').

Yes, it is very common in professional emails.

Very few; the rule is quite consistent.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

French high

lequel/laquelle

French has more complex contractions (auquel/duquel).

German moderate

Relativpronomen

German case system is much more complex than Spanish.

Japanese low

Relative clauses without pronouns

Japanese has no relative pronouns.

Arabic moderate

Alladhi/Allati

Arabic pronouns are often omitted in specific contexts.

Chinese low

de (的)

Chinese has no gender or number agreement.

English partial

who/which

Spanish forbids dangling prepositions.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Using 'Para': For, To, and Deadlines
Next
Spanish Prices & Exchanges (Por)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

Spanish Connector Words (en, de, a, con, para, por)

Overview Prepositions are fundamental grammatical elements in Spanish, acting as essential connectors that establish rel...
A1 Requires

Spanish Connector: That, Which, Who (Que)

Overview In Spanish, constructing complex sentences requires a tool to connect related ideas. The most fundamental and...

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