What... to/at (Ce à quoi)
ce à quoi to connect abstract thoughts to French verbs that naturally take the preposition à.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'ce à quoi' when you need to say 'what' after a verb that requires the preposition 'à'.
- Use 'ce à quoi' when the verb is followed by 'à' (e.g., penser à).
- It acts as a bridge between two parts of a sentence.
- It translates to 'what' or 'that which' in English.
Overview
Understanding how to correctly express “what” in French is a foundational step for beginners, and it often involves distinguishing between several similar-looking structures. Among these, ce à quoi serves a specific and crucial role: it functions as an invariable relative pronoun used to refer to an abstract idea, thing, or situation that is the indirect object of a verb requiring the preposition à. You encounter ce à quoi when the English phrasing would involve “what… to/at” or “the thing to which/at which.” This construction effectively bridges two clauses, with the second clause’s verb needing à to connect to its indirect object.
Without ce à quoi, forming grammatically correct sentences that convey these precise relationships would be impossible.
The necessity of ce à quoi stems from a fundamental difference between French and English syntax regarding prepositions. In English, you can frequently end a sentence or clause with a preposition (e.g., “That’s what I’m thinking about”). French, however, strictly prohibits this.
All prepositions must precede their objects. Therefore, when an abstract “what” is the object of a verb that intrinsically pairs with à (like penser à – to think about or s’intéresser à – to be interested in), ce à quoi becomes the indispensable grammatical link. It prevents the preposition à from being stranded at the end of its clause, maintaining the logical flow and idiomatic correctness of the French sentence.
Mastering this structure elevates your ability to articulate complex thoughts and observations with precision, moving beyond simple direct object constructions.
How This Grammar Works
Ce à quoi operates as a compound relative pronoun, meaning it combines elements to perform the function of a single pronoun relating two parts of a sentence. Its structure, ce + à + quoi, directly reflects its grammatical role. The initial ce acts as a neutral demonstrative pronoun, standing in for an unspecified, abstract concept, idea, or an entire preceding statement—it roughly translates to “that” or “the thing.” Unlike celui, celle, ceux, or celles, ce is always singular and masculine in form but refers neutrally, making it suitable for abstract references.ce is crucial because it introduces the general concept that the relative clause will then specify.ce is the preposition à, which is dictated by the verb in the subsequent clause. This à is not optional; it is an inherent part of the verbal construction. For instance, verbs like penser à (to think about), s’habituer à (to get used to), or répondre à (to respond to) all require à to introduce their indirect object.quoi serves as the relative pronoun component, standing in for the abstract indirect object that the ce has introduced. Quoi is specifically used for things or ideas, never for people. This distinction is critical and helps you avoid common errors.à precedes its pronominal object (quoi), satisfying French grammatical rules.Je pense à mon avenir (I think about my future). If you want to say “What I think about is my future,” and refer to the abstract concept of “my future,” you cannot use ce que because penser takes à. Instead, you use ce à quoi.Ce à quoi je pense, c'est mon avenir, demonstrates how ce à quoi functions as the indirect object of penser within the relative clause. It introduces the idea (ce) to which (à) you are thinking (quoi). Because ce is invariable, ce à quoi remains constant regardless of the implicit gender or number of the abstract idea it refers to, simplifying agreement issues.Formation Pattern
ce à quoi is straightforward once you understand its components and their sequence. The construction is always fixed: ce + à + quoi. You append this structure directly before the subject and verb of the relative clause that requires the preposition à. It acts as the indirect object of that verb, which is why the à is mandatory. The core formula can be visualized as:
Ce à quoi + [subject] + [verb requiring à] + [rest of the clause, if any]
Ce: This is the neutral demonstrative pronoun, meaning “that which” or “the thing that.” It refers to an unspecified, abstract concept or a prior statement. It is invariable in gender and number.
à: This is the preposition required by the verb in the relative clause. Its presence is non-negotiable and dictated solely by the verb’s construction.
quoi: This is the interrogative pronoun quoi transformed into a relative pronoun. It specifically refers to non-human entities (things, ideas, situations). It never changes form.
ce à quoi:
à: For example, s'intéresser à (to be interested in).
Tu t'intéresses à la politique (You are interested in politics).
la politique (an abstract thing) with ce à quoi. The subject tu and the verb t'intéresses remain.
Ce à quoi tu t'intéresses, c'est la politique. (What you are interested in is politics.)
s'habituer à (to get used to):
Je m'habitue à la vie parisienne (I'm getting used to Parisian life).
ce à quoi: Ce à quoi je m'habitue est le rythme de la ville. (What I'm getting used to is the pace of the city.)
Ce | Neutral antecedent | Ce à quoi | Always invariable |
à | Required preposition | à quoi | Dictated by the verb |
quoi | Relative pronoun (thing/idea) | quoi je pense | Never for people |
ce à quoi generally introduces a subordinate clause, often appearing at the beginning of a sentence or after a demonstrative like C'est (It is). This fixed order ensures clarity and proper grammatical function. There is no elision with quoi; quoi remains quoi even if the following word begins with a vowel or a silent h (e.g., Ce à quoi il pense, not Ce à qu'il pense).
When To Use It
ce à quoi specifically when you need to refer to an abstract concept, an idea, a fact, or a general situation (rather than a specific person or concrete object) that is the indirect object of a verb requiring the preposition à. This occurs frequently with a set of common French verbs that inherently express a relationship to something. Recognizing these verbs is key to correctly applying ce à quoi.à and thus often trigger the use of ce à quoi:penser à(to think about/of):C'est ce à quoi je pense depuis ce matin.(That's what I've been thinking about since this morning.)Ce à quoi nous devons réfléchir, c'est notre stratégie.(What we must reflect upon is our strategy.)s'intéresser à(to be interested in):Ce à quoi il s'intéresse le plus, c'est l'histoire antique.(What he's most interested in is ancient history.)Explique-moi ce à quoi tu t'intéresses.(Explain to me what you're interested in.)réfléchir à(to reflect on/consider):Ce à quoi tu devrais vraiment réfléchir, c'est ton avenir professionnel.(What you should really reflect on is your professional future.)s'attendre à(to expect):C'est exactement ce à quoi je m'attendais de sa part.(That's exactly what I expected from him/her.)répondre à(to respond to/answer):Ce à quoi j'ai répondu était une question piège.(What I responded to was a trick question.)tenir à(to be keen on/to care about):Ce à quoi elle tient le plus, c'est sa liberté.(What she cares about most is her freedom.)contribuer à(to contribute to):Ce à quoi il veut contribuer, c'est la protection de l'environnement.(What he wants to contribute to is environmental protection.)consentir à(to consent to):Ce à quoi ils ont consenti n'était pas facile.(What they consented to was not easy.)servir à(to be used for):Je ne comprends pas ce à quoi ce bouton sert.(I don't understand what this button is for.)
ce à quoi is invaluable when the “what” refers to a previously mentioned idea or an entire preceding clause. For example, if someone describes a complex problem, you might respond: C'est ce à quoi je voulais en venir. (That's what I was getting at.) Here, ce à quoi refers to the entire complex problem, not a single noun. This ability to refer to broad, abstract concepts makes it a highly flexible and powerful tool for nuanced communication.Common Mistakes
ce à quoi, primarily due to its similarity to other relative pronouns or the influence of English sentence structure. Understanding these common errors and, crucially, why they occur will significantly improve your accuracy.- 1Confusing
ce à quoiwithce que: This is perhaps the most prevalent mistake. You might be tempted to use the simplerce quebecause it translates to “what” and is more familiar. However,ce queis a direct object relative pronoun and is used only when the verb does not take a preposition.Ce à quoi, in contrast, is an indirect object relative pronoun specifically for verbs that demandà. For example,Ce que je mange(What I eat) usesce quebecausemangeris a direct object verb. ButCe à quoi je pense(What I think about) requiresce à quoibecausepensertakesà. Usingce que je pensewould mean “the thing that I think (as an opinion),” not “the thing I am thinking about.” The subtle difference completely changes the meaning. Theàis the distinguishing factor.
- 1Confusing
ce à quoiwithce dont: Another frequent error involvesce dont. Whilece à quoirefers to abstract objects of verbs takingà,ce dontrefers to abstract objects of verbs takingde(e.g.,avoir besoin de– to need,parler de– to talk about). Mixing these prepositions (àandde) will render your sentence incorrect. For instance,Ce dont j'ai besoin, c'est de repos(What I need is rest) usesce dontbecauseavoir besoinrequiresde. Conversely,Ce à quoi je tiens, c'est notre amitié(What I care about is our friendship) correctly usesce à quoibecausetenirrequiresà. Always identify the correct preposition the verb demands before choosing betweenàordeconstructions.
- 1Using
quiinstead ofquoi: Remember,quoiis exclusively for things, ideas, or situations, never for people. If you are referring to a person, you would usequi(e.g.,la personne à qui je parle– the person to whom I am speaking). Usingce à quoiwhen referring to a person, even abstractly, is grammatically incorrect and can sound dehumanizing. For example,Ce à qui je m'adresseis wrong if you mean
Structure of 'Ce à quoi'
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ce
|
à
|
quoi
|
Relative pronoun for 'à' verbs
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Meanings
This structure is used to refer to an object or idea that is the target of a prepositional verb.
Referencing an object
Linking a verb that takes 'à' to its object.
“C'est ce à quoi il s'intéresse.”
“Je sais ce à quoi tu penses.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
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C'est ce à quoi...
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C'est ce à quoi je pense.
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Negative
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Ce n'est pas ce à quoi...
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Ce n'est pas ce à quoi je pense.
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Question
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Est-ce ce à quoi...?
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Est-ce ce à quoi tu penses ?
|
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Past
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C'était ce à quoi...
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C'était ce à quoi il s'attendait.
|
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Future
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Ce sera ce à quoi...
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Ce sera ce à quoi nous réfléchirons.
|
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Plural
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Ce sont ce à quoi...
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Ce sont ce à quoi ils s'intéressent.
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Formality Spectrum
C'est ce à quoi je réfléchis. (Expressing thoughts)
C'est ce à quoi je pense. (Expressing thoughts)
C'est à ça que je pense. (Expressing thoughts)
C'est à ça que je pense, tu vois ? (Expressing thoughts)
The 'Ce à quoi' Bridge
Verbs
- Penser à Think about
- S'intéresser à Be interested in
Examples by Level
C'est ce à quoi je pense.
That's what I'm thinking about.
Je sais ce à quoi tu joues.
I know what you are playing.
Dis-moi ce à quoi tu penses.
Tell me what you are thinking about.
Voilà ce à quoi il s'intéresse.
That is what he is interested in.
Il ne sait pas ce à quoi il doit répondre.
He doesn't know what he must answer to.
C'est ce à quoi nous avons réfléchi.
That is what we have reflected on.
Tu as vu ce à quoi elle participe ?
Did you see what she is participating in?
Je ne comprends pas ce à quoi il tient.
I don't understand what he cares about.
Ce à quoi je m'attends, c'est une explication claire.
What I am expecting is a clear explanation.
Il a décrit ce à quoi il a été confronté.
He described what he was confronted with.
C'est exactement ce à quoi je m'opposais.
That is exactly what I was opposed to.
Elle a enfin compris ce à quoi elle s'exposait.
She finally understood what she was exposing herself to.
Ce à quoi nous aspirons est une paix durable.
What we aspire to is lasting peace.
Il est difficile de définir ce à quoi cela correspond.
It is difficult to define what that corresponds to.
C'est ce à quoi tout le monde s'attendait.
That is what everyone was expecting.
Il faut considérer ce à quoi cela peut mener.
One must consider what that can lead to.
Ce à quoi il faut prêter attention, c'est la nuance.
What one must pay attention to is the nuance.
Elle a illustré ce à quoi elle faisait allusion.
She illustrated what she was alluding to.
Ce à quoi nous sommes parvenus est remarquable.
What we have arrived at is remarkable.
Il a remis en question ce à quoi il croyait.
He questioned what he believed in.
Ce à quoi le poète nous convie est une odyssée.
What the poet invites us to is an odyssey.
Il a su cerner ce à quoi le public était sensible.
He knew how to identify what the public was sensitive to.
Ce à quoi il s'est adonné est purement artistique.
What he has devoted himself to is purely artistic.
C'est ce à quoi le traité fait explicitement référence.
That is what the treaty explicitly refers to.
Easily Confused
Learners use 'ce que' for everything.
Learners mix up 'à' and 'de'.
Learners use 'quoi' alone.
Common Mistakes
C'est ce que je pense.
C'est ce à quoi je pense.
Il s'intéresse ce que je fais.
Il s'intéresse à ce que je fais.
Je sais ce à quoi il mange.
Je sais ce qu'il mange.
C'est ce à quoi je vois.
C'est ce que je vois.
Il réfléchit ce à quoi.
Il réfléchit à ce à quoi...
C'est ce dont je pense.
C'est ce à quoi je pense.
Ce à quoi il veut.
Ce à quoi il aspire.
Ce à quoi je m'attends est difficile.
Ce à quoi je m'attends, c'est difficile.
Il a oublié ce à quoi il a parlé.
Il a oublié ce dont il a parlé.
C'est ce à quoi je suis habitué.
C'est ce à quoi je suis habitué.
Ce à quoi il fait référence est faux.
Ce à quoi il fait référence est faux.
Il a ignoré ce à quoi il devait se soumettre.
Il a ignoré ce à quoi il devait se soumettre.
Ce à quoi il a abouti.
Ce à quoi il a abouti.
Sentence Patterns
C'est ___ je pense.
Il s'intéresse à ___ il participe.
___ je m'attends, c'est une réponse.
Il réfléchit à ___ il doit faire.
Real World Usage
Tu sais ce à quoi je pense ?
C'est ce à quoi nous aspirons.
Voilà ce à quoi je m'intéresse.
C'est ce à quoi je m'attendais.
C'est ce à quoi je pensais pour le dîner.
Ce à quoi le texte fait référence.
Check the verb
Don't drop the à
Use it for emphasis
Keep it natural
Smart Tips
Use 'ce à quoi' instead of 'ce que'.
Check if you can say 'penser à quelque chose'.
Use 'ce à quoi' to connect complex ideas.
Focus on the 'à' sound.
Pronunciation
Liaison
The 'à' often links to the next word if it starts with a vowel.
Rising at the end
C'est ce à quoi tu penses ?
Questioning tone
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'à' as a hook. If the verb has a hook, you need 'ce à quoi' to catch it.
Visual Association
Imagine a fisherman (the verb) holding a rod with a hook ('à'). He catches a fish ('quoi'). The whole setup is 'ce à quoi'.
Rhyme
If the verb has an 'à', don't be shy, use 'ce à quoi' to say 'what' and fly!
Story
Pierre is thinking about his cat. He says, 'C'est ce à quoi je pense.' His friend asks, 'What?' Pierre replies, 'My cat!' The 'à' is the bridge between his thought and the cat.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences today using 'penser à', 's'intéresser à', and 's'attendre à' with 'ce à quoi'.
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in academic and professional settings to show precision.
Similar usage, though sometimes replaced by 'à ça que' in very casual speech.
Standard French usage, very common in formal correspondence.
Derived from the Latin 'quid' (what) combined with the preposition 'ad' (to).
Conversation Starters
À quoi penses-tu en ce moment ?
Qu'est-ce qui t'intéresse le plus ?
À quoi t'attends-tu pour l'année prochaine ?
À quoi réfléchis-tu pour ton futur projet ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Je pense ___ je veux.
C'est ___ il s'intéresse.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il réfléchit ce que je dis.
Je pense à mon projet. -> C'est...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
je / ce à quoi / pense / c'est
___ nous aspirons est grand.
Il s'attend ___ il a vu.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesJe pense ___ je veux.
C'est ___ il s'intéresse.
Find and fix the mistake:
Il réfléchit ce que je dis.
Je pense à mon projet. -> C'est...
Penser -> ?
je / ce à quoi / pense / c'est
___ nous aspirons est grand.
Il s'attend ___ il a vu.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesJe ne sais pas ___ il fait allusion.
Ce que je réfléchis est compliqué.
quoi / ce / pense / c'est / je / à
What he is reacting to is funny.
___ je tiens, c'est ma liberté.
Match the pairs:
Voilà ___ ressemble mon chat à 3h du matin.
In which context would you use 'ce à quoi'?
C'est ce que je réponds.
s'intéresse / ce / elle / à / quoi / est / l'art
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Only if the verb doesn't take 'à'.
It's standard, but 'à ça que' is more casual.
No, it's invariable.
Use 'ce dont'.
Yes, for emphasis.
Very common in daily life.
Because the verb requires it.
Yes, it's perfect for writing.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
a lo que
Spanish uses 'lo' instead of 'ce'.
woran
German attaches the preposition to the 'wo' prefix.
what... to
French requires the preposition before the pronoun.
no koto
Japanese doesn't have a direct prepositional relative pronoun.
ma
Arabic prepositions are prefixes.
de
Chinese grammar is word-order based.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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