French Pronouns: What / The thing that (Ce que)
ce que + subject + verb to say 'what' when it acts as the direct object.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'ce que' when you mean 'the thing that' or 'what' as a direct object in a sentence.
- Use 'ce que' when the pronoun is the direct object: 'Je mange ce que tu cuisines.'
- Use 'ce qui' when the pronoun is the subject: 'Ce qui est ici est bon.'
- Always follow 'ce que' with a subject and a verb: 'Ce que je vois.'
Overview
French grammar requires precision, particularly when expressing abstract concepts or referring to unspecified ideas. The indefinite relative pronoun ce que serves as a fundamental tool for articulating "what" or "the thing that" when this "what" functions as the direct object of a verb in a subordinate clause. Unlike English, where "what" can cover multiple grammatical roles, French distinguishes rigorously between a "what" that is the subject of an action and a "what" that receives the action.
At the A1 level, mastering ce que immediately elevates your ability to construct more nuanced sentences beyond simple subject-verb-object structures. It allows you to refer to an action, an idea, or an unspecified situation without having a concrete noun in mind. Think of it as a grammatical placeholder for an idea or event that is about to be described, always receiving the action of the verb that follows.
Understanding ce que is crucial for fluent communication because it enables you to link a main idea to a dependent clause that elaborates on "what" is being thought, done, or said. For instance, instead of merely stating J'aime ça (I like that), you can specify J'aime ce que tu fais (I like what you do). This precision is a hallmark of French expression and a key step in building comprehensive sentence structures.
How This Grammar Works
Ce que functions as an indefinite relative pronoun, meaning it introduces a subordinate clause that modifies an unspecified antecedent. In simpler terms, ce acts as a neutral demonstrative pronoun, referring to "that which" or "the thing," and que is the relative pronoun that connects this unspecified thing to the action it receives within the subordinate clause. The combination ce que always introduces a clause where it serves as the direct object of the verb that follows.ce que, and this subject performs the action described by the verb. The ce que itself is the entity or idea that receives that action. Consider the sentence Je sais ce que tu veux.Je sais is the main clause. The subordinate clause is ce que tu veux (what you want). In this clause, tu is the subject, veux is the verb, and ce que is the direct object of veux – it's the "thing" that tu wants.ce que with a noun: Tu veux une pomme (You want an apple). Une pomme is the direct object.Ce provides the necessary neutral antecedent, and que explicitly marks its role as the direct object. Without ce, que alone would typically function as a conjunction meaning "that" (e.g., Je pense que tu es intelligent - I think that you are intelligent), or as a relative pronoun referring to a known antecedent (La chose que j'aime - The thing that I like).ce disambiguates its function, clearly signaling an indefinite reference.ce que from ce qui. The fundamental difference lies in their grammatical function within the subordinate clause: ce que is always the direct object, while ce qui is always the subject. This distinction is paramount for correct sentence construction and will be explored further in the Common Mistakes section.ce que.Formation Pattern
ce que follows a consistent and predictable pattern. It always begins with ce, followed by que (which may undergo elision), then a subject, and finally a verb. This sequence ensures that ce que functions correctly as the direct object of the verb within its clause.
ce que + [Subject] + [Verb]
que. If the word immediately following que begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or a silent h (h muet), que contracts to qu'. This is done to avoid a hiatus (a clash of two vowel sounds) and to maintain the natural flow of spoken French. It's not a change in meaning, merely an adjustment for pronunciation.
ce que | Precedes a consonant or an aspirated h | Ce que tu fais | What you do |
Ce que Marie dit | What Marie says |
Ce que le professeur explique | What the teacher explains |
ce qu' | Precedes a vowel or a mutable h | Ce qu'il mange | What he eats |
Ce qu'elle aime | What she likes |
Ce qu'on entend | What one hears / What we hear |
Ce que is invariant. It does not change its form based on the gender or number of the idea it represents. Whether you are referring to one thing or many, ce que remains ce que (or ce qu'). For example, Ce que je veux, c'est une pomme (What I want is an apple) and Ce que je veux, ce sont des pommes (What I want are apples) both use ce que.
ce que clause is typically Subject + Verb. This is a standard declarative sentence structure in French, even within a subordinate clause. For instance, Je comprends ce que vous dites (I understand what you are saying). The subject vous precedes the verb dites.
Ce que clauses typically follow the main verb or phrase that introduces the idea (e.g., savoir, comprendre, aimer, dire). They function as the direct object of this main verb.
When To Use It
Ce que is employed in a variety of contexts where you need to refer to an unspecified action, idea, or situation as the direct object of a verb. Its versatility makes it indispensable for constructing more complex and natural sentences even at a beginner stage. Here are the primary situations in which you will use ce que:- 1Expressing Desires, Wants, and Preferences: When you want to state what someone likes, wants, or prefers,
ce queis the appropriate choice. It allows you to refer to an abstract desire rather than a concrete object.
Je ne sais pas ce que je veux manger ce soir.(I don't know what I want to eat tonight.)Dis-moi ce que tu aimes faire pendant ton temps libre.(Tell me what you like to do in your free time.)Ce que nous préférons, c'est voyager.(What we prefer is to travel.)
- 1Reporting Information or Stating Facts: When you are recounting something that was said, done, or observed, and the "what" is the object of the reporting verb,
ce queis used.
Je ne comprends pas ce que tu dis.(I don't understand what you are saying.)Écoutez bien ce que le professeur explique.(Listen carefully to what the teacher is explaining.)Il a raconté ce qu'il a vu hier.(He recounted what he saw yesterday.)
- 1Referring to Knowledge or Understanding: Verbs related to cognition, such as
savoir(to know),comprendre(to understand),apprendre(to learn), frequently takece queas their direct object.
Savez-vous ce qu'il faut faire maintenant ?(Do you know what needs to be done now?)J'apprends ce que mon professeur enseigne.(I am learning what my teacher is teaching.)Nous comprenons difficilement ce que la petite fille veut.(We barely understand what the little girl wants.)
- 1In Impersonal Constructions (often with
c'est): Whence queis at the beginning of a sentence, it often serves as the subject of the main clause, which is typically an impersonal construction withc'est(it is) orce sont(they are) to emphasize the idea.
Ce que j'aime le plus, c'est la lecture.(What I like the most is reading.)Ce que tu dis, c'est vrai.(What you are saying is true.)Ce qu'ils ont fait, ce sont des erreurs.(What they did were mistakes.)
- 1With Verbs of Perception: When describing what someone perceives or notices.
Regarde ce qu'elle dessine !(Look what she is drawing!)Nous entendons ce que le chat fait.(We hear what the cat is doing.)
ce que is the correct choice. This structure adds depth and fluidity to your French, allowing for more precise communication of ideas and observations.Common Mistakes
ce que frequently arise. Understanding these pitfalls and their underlying causes is crucial for accurate usage.- 1Confusing
ce quewithce qui: This is by far the most frequent and significant error. The distinction is foundational:ce queintroduces a clause where it is the direct object, whereasce quiintroduces a clause where it is the subject. This meansce queis always followed by a subject + verb, whilece quiis always followed directly by a verb.
- Incorrect:
Je ne sais pas ce qui tu penses.(Incorrect:quicannot be followed by a subjecttuifquiis the subject itself.) - Correct:
Je ne sais pas ce que tu penses.(I don't know what you think. Here,ce queis the object ofpenses.)
- Incorrect:
Ce que est important, c'est la santé.(Incorrect:quecannot be directly followed by a verbestbecausequewould then be functioning as the subject, which is the role ofqui.) - Correct:
Ce qui est important, c'est la santé.(What is important is health. Here,ce quiis the subject ofest.)
je, tu, il, nous, vous, ils) immediately after the "what" in English, you likely need ce que in French. If the verb follows directly, you need ce qui.- 1Omitting
ceand usingquealone: Learners sometimes forget thecepart, usingquewhen they mean "what" as an indefinite concept. However,quealone functions as a conjunction meaning "that" or a relative pronoun for a defined antecedent.
- Incorrect:
J'ai compris que tu voulais.(This means: I understood that you wanted... - incomplete sentence in French, or implies a different meaning.) - Correct:
J'ai compris ce que tu voulais.(I understood what you wanted.)
que tu voulais implies that you wanted [something] where [something] is missing. The ce in ce que provides that indefinite "something."- 1Forgetting Elision (que -> qu'): Neglecting to contract
quetoqu'before a word starting with a vowel or a mutablehcreates an unnatural sound and is grammatically incorrect.
- Incorrect:
Il ne voit pas ce que il fait.(Sounds awkward, a clash of vowels.) - Correct:
Il ne voit pas ce qu'il fait.(He doesn't see what he's doing.)
que in all its grammatical roles.- 1Confusing
ce quewithquoi: While both can translate to "what," their usage differs significantly.Quoiis typically used in isolated, informal questions (Tu fais quoi ?- What are you doing?) or after prepositions (À quoi penses-tu ?- What are you thinking about?).Ce queis specifically for linking clauses, with a clear subject-verb structure following it, and cannot follow a preposition.
- Incorrect:
Je ne sais pas à ce que tu penses.(Incorrect construction;ce quecannot follow a preposition likeà.) - Correct:
Je ne sais pas à quoi tu penses.(I don't know what you are thinking about.)
- Incorrect:
Quoi tu veux ?(Too informal/ungrammatical in most contexts, lacking structure.) - Correct:
Qu'est-ce que tu veux ?(What do you want?) orJe sais ce que tu veux.(I know what you want.)
ce que and avoid these pervasive errors.Real Conversations
Ce que is not merely a theoretical grammatical point; it is a highly prevalent structure in everyday French communication, spanning formal discussions to informal chats. Observing its use in real-world contexts helps solidify understanding and promotes natural integration into your own speech and writing.
Casual Exchanges and Texting: In contemporary informal settings, ce que is frequently used to express opinions, share thoughts, or seek clarification.
- Text Message:
A: Tu fais quoi ce soir ? (What are you doing tonight?)
B: Je sais pas encore. Ce que je veux, c'est me détendre. (I don't know yet. What I want is to relax.)
- In Conversation:
A: J'ai vu un film incroyable hier. (I saw an amazing movie yesterday.)
B: Ah oui ? Raconte-moi ce qu'il s'est passé ! (Oh really? Tell me what happened!)
Social Media and Online Content: French speakers use ce que extensively in captions, comments, and status updates, often to introduce personal reflections or observations.
- Instagram Caption: Trop contente de ma journée ! Voici ce que j'ai acheté. (So happy with my day! Here's what I bought.)
- Blog Post Title: Cinq choses que je mange quand je suis pressé. (Five things that I eat when I'm in a hurry.) Note: here que refers to a specific antecedent 'choses' and acts as direct object, not ce que
- Corrected example for ce que on social media: Ce que j'aime le plus dans la cuisine, c'est la liberté de créer. (What I love most about cooking is the freedom to create.)
Work and Academic Contexts
ce que facilitates concise expression of information, findings, or instructions.- Meeting Discussion:
A: Je ne suis pas sûr de comprendre la priorité. (I'm not sure I understand the priority.)
B: Laissez-moi vous expliquer ce que nous attendons de vous. (Let me explain what we expect from you.)
- Email:
Madame, Monsieur, je vous envoie ce que j'ai préparé pour la réunion de demain. (Dear Sir/Madam, I am sending you what I prepared for tomorrow's meeting.)
Everyday Life and Practical Situations: From shopping to giving directions, ce que allows for natural phrasing when referring to indefinite items or actions.
- Shopping: C'est exactement ce que je cherchais dans ce magasin. (That's exactly what I was looking for in this store.)
- Asking for Advice: Dis-moi ce que je devrais faire dans cette situation. (Tell me what I should do in this situation.)
These examples illustrate that ce que is deeply embedded in the linguistic fabric of French, enabling speakers to convey complex thoughts smoothly and precisely. Incorporating it into your active vocabulary will significantly enhance your ability to participate in authentic conversations.
Quick FAQ
ce que?Yes, absolutely. It's a common and grammatically correct way to begin a sentence, particularly when you want to emphasize the "what" as the main topic. When starting a sentence with ce que, the main clause often uses an impersonal construction like c'est (it is) or ce sont (they are) to complete the thought. For example: Ce que j'adore, c'est le chocolat. (What I love is chocolate.) Here, ce que j'adore functions as the subject of the main clause c'est le chocolat.
ce que formal or informal?Ce que is grammatically neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. You will encounter it in academic texts, professional emails, casual conversations, and social media. Its presence signifies grammatical correctness and clarity, not a specific register of language. It's a foundational element of standard French.
ce que ever agree in gender or number, for example, becoming ce ques or ces que?No, ce que is invariant. It does not change form for gender or number. The ce part is a neutral demonstrative pronoun referring to an abstract "thing" or idea, which by definition has no specific gender or number. The que part is a relative pronoun that also remains invariant. So, whether you are talking about one thing or many, the form remains ce que (or ce qu'). For example: Ce que tu dis est intéressant. (What you say is interesting.) and Ce que tu achètes est utile. (What you buy is useful.) even if ce que refers to multiple useful things.
ce que and qu'est-ce que?While both phrases involve "what" as a direct object, qu'est-ce que is a specific interrogative phrase used for forming direct questions. It literally means "what is it that..." and is a fixed expression for asking "what?" as the direct object of an action. For example: Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? (What are you doing?). In contrast, ce que is an indefinite relative pronoun used to introduce a subordinate clause, often as part of a statement or an indirect question, referring to "the thing that" or "what." For instance: Je sais ce que tu fais. (I know what you are doing.) Notice that ce que is a component within qu'est-ce que, where ce is the neutral demonstrative and que is the direct object relative pronoun, combined with est-ce for interrogation.
ce que and ce qui more easily?A useful mnemonic focuses on the grammatical role of the element immediately following que or qui:
Ce queis followed by a Subject (S) + Verb. Think: Que + Subject. (Ce que tu veux,Ce qu'il mange).Ce quiis followed directly by a Verb (V). Think: Qui + Verb. (Ce qui est vrai,Ce qui se passe).
ce qui) or receiving the action (object = ce que). Consistent application of this rule will resolve most confusions.Relative Pronoun Structure
| Pronoun | Function | Followed By | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ce que
|
Direct Object
|
Subject + Verb
|
Ce que je veux
|
|
Ce qui
|
Subject
|
Verb
|
Ce qui est bon
|
|
Ce qu'
|
Direct Object (vowel)
|
Subject + Verb
|
Ce qu'il dit
|
Meanings
A neutral relative pronoun used to refer to an entire idea or an unspecified thing acting as a direct object.
Direct Object
Refers to the thing that is being acted upon.
“Dis-moi ce que tu penses.”
“Il fait ce qu'il veut.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Ce que + S + V
|
Je vois ce que tu fais.
|
|
Negative
|
Ce que + S + ne + V + pas
|
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il ne veut pas.
|
|
Question
|
Sais-tu ce que + S + V ?
|
Sais-tu ce que je cherche ?
|
|
Past
|
Ce que + S + Avoir/Être + Participe
|
C'est ce que j'ai vu.
|
|
Future
|
Ce que + S + Aller + Infinitif
|
C'est ce que je vais faire.
|
|
Reflexive
|
Ce que + S + Pronoun + V
|
C'est ce que je me demande.
|
Formality Spectrum
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il désire. (Daily conversation)
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il veut. (Daily conversation)
Je sais pas ce qu'il veut. (Daily conversation)
J'sais pas c'qu'il veut. (Daily conversation)
Relative Pronoun Decision Tree
Subject
- Ce qui The thing that (does action)
Object
- Ce que The thing that (receives action)
Examples by Level
Je mange ce que tu cuisines.
I eat what you cook.
C'est ce que je veux.
That is what I want.
Je vois ce que tu fais.
I see what you are doing.
Dis-moi ce que tu aimes.
Tell me what you like.
Je ne sais pas ce qu'il dit.
I don't know what he is saying.
Il fait ce qu'il veut.
He does what he wants.
Tu as vu ce que j'ai acheté ?
Did you see what I bought?
Comprends-tu ce que je demande ?
Do you understand what I am asking?
C'est exactement ce que je pensais.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
Je ne comprends pas ce que tu essaies de dire.
I don't understand what you are trying to say.
Il a oublié ce que nous avions prévu.
He forgot what we had planned.
Ce que tu fais est très courageux.
What you are doing is very brave.
Ce que je trouve fascinant, c'est sa détermination.
What I find fascinating is his determination.
Il a enfin réalisé ce que cela impliquait.
He finally realized what that implied.
Je vous donnerai ce que vous avez demandé.
I will give you what you have requested.
Ce que nous avons vécu restera gravé.
What we experienced will remain etched.
Ce que je redoute le plus, c'est l'indifférence.
What I fear most is indifference.
Il a su exprimer ce que tout le monde ressentait.
He knew how to express what everyone was feeling.
Ce que vous proposez semble tout à fait raisonnable.
What you are proposing seems quite reasonable.
Je ne saurais dire ce que l'avenir nous réserve.
I could not say what the future holds for us.
Ce que l'on nomme le destin est souvent le fruit de nos choix.
What one calls destiny is often the fruit of our choices.
Il a su saisir ce que la situation exigeait de lui.
He knew how to grasp what the situation required of him.
Ce que je conteste, c'est la méthode employée.
What I contest is the method used.
Ce que nous avons là est une opportunité unique.
What we have here is a unique opportunity.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the subject and object roles.
Learners use 'ce que' when a specific noun is mentioned.
Learners use 'ce que' with verbs that require 'de'.
Common Mistakes
Ce que est bon.
Ce qui est bon.
Ce que mange.
Ce que je mange.
Ce que il fait.
Ce qu'il fait.
Le chose que je veux.
Ce que je veux.
Je sais ce que tu veux le faire.
Je sais ce que tu veux faire.
C'est ce que je pense de.
C'est ce à quoi je pense.
Ce que je vois est le livre.
Ce que je vois, c'est le livre.
Ce que je m'attends.
Ce à quoi je m'attends.
Ce que je parle.
Ce dont je parle.
Ce que il y a.
Ce qu'il y a.
Ce que je me souviens.
Ce dont je me souviens.
Ce que je compte.
Ce sur quoi je compte.
Ce que je profite.
Ce dont je profite.
Ce que je m'occupe.
Ce dont je m'occupe.
Sentence Patterns
C'est ___ que je veux.
Je ne sais pas ___ tu fais.
___ tu dis est vrai.
___ je cherche, c'est la paix.
Real World Usage
Tu sais c'que j'ai fait ?
Je comprends ce que vous cherchez.
Ce que je pense de cette série...
Je prends ce que vous recommandez.
Ce que je veux voir, c'est la tour.
Ce que cette étude démontre est clair.
The 'Subject' Test
Don't forget the subject!
Elision is key
Casual speech
Smart Tips
Always use 'ce que' + subject.
Use 'ce qu'' instead of 'ce que'.
Ask: 'Who is doing the action?' If the pronoun is the doer, use 'ce qui'.
Use 'Ce que [clause], c'est [noun]'.
Pronunciation
Elision
Always link 'ce que' to 'ce qu'' before a vowel.
Rising
Ce que tu veux ? ↑
Questioning tone
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Ce que is for the object, like a 'q' for 'que' (object). Ce qui is for the subject, like an 'i' for 'initiator'.
Visual Association
Imagine a puppet (the object) being pulled by 'Ce que'. Imagine a person (the subject) standing tall as 'Ce qui'.
Rhyme
Ce que is for the thing you do, Ce qui is for the thing that's true.
Story
I looked at the menu. I saw 'Ce que' I wanted to eat. I told the waiter, 'I want what is on the menu.' The waiter brought 'Ce qui' was the best dish.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences today starting with 'Ce que je préfère...' (What I prefer is...)
Cultural Notes
Used frequently in both formal and informal speech.
Often shortened further in casual speech.
Standard usage, often clear and precise.
Derived from Latin 'ecce quod' (behold that).
Conversation Starters
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire le week-end ?
Sais-tu ce que tu veux manger ce soir ?
Comment expliques-tu ce que tu fais dans la vie ?
Ce que tu as appris récemment est-il utile ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Je ne sais pas ___ tu veux.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ce que mange est bon.
I want that. -> I want what you want.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
fais / ce que / je / vois / .
C'est ___ j'ai dit.
Ce que is used for subjects.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesJe ne sais pas ___ tu veux.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Ce que mange est bon.
I want that. -> I want what you want.
Match: Je sais... / ...ce que tu fais.
fais / ce que / je / vois / .
C'est ___ j'ai dit.
Ce que is used for subjects.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesC'est exactement ___ je pensais !
What I want is a coffee.
Dis-moi ce que il a dit.
Je fais ___ je peux.
j'ai / Ce / dit / que / vrai / est
Match the items:
Regarde ___ l'oiseau fait !
Tu sais ___ arrive demain ?
What you say is interesting.
C'est ce que arrive.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, e.g., 'Ce que je veux, c'est du café.'
No, it is neutral.
If it's the subject, use 'ce qui'. If it's the object, use 'ce que'.
It's elision before a vowel.
Yes, it is standard French.
No, 'que' needs a specific noun.
Use 'ce dont'.
Extremely common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
lo que
None, they are functionally identical.
das, was
German requires two words where French uses one compound.
what
French 'ce que' is always two words, English 'what' is one.
koto
Japanese is agglutinative, French is analytic.
ma
Arabic 'ma' is a single particle, not a pronoun-conjunction pair.
suǒ
Chinese grammar does not use pronouns in the same way.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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