B2 Pronouns 13 min read Hard

French Pronouns: Which One? (auquel, duquel)

Always match the pronoun's gender to the noun and smush it with the preposition for smooth French flow.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'auquel' for verbs needing 'à' and 'duquel' for verbs needing 'de' to link nouns to relative clauses.

  • Use 'auquel' (à + lequel) when the verb or adjective requires the preposition 'à'. Example: 'La chaise sur laquelle je m'assois.'
  • Use 'duquel' (de + lequel) when the verb or adjective requires the preposition 'de'. Example: 'Le film dont je parle' (or 'duquel je parle').
  • Always match the gender and number of the noun you are replacing. Example: 'La table à laquelle je pense' (feminine singular).
Noun + (Preposition + Lequel) + Relative Clause

Overview

French, like many languages, requires precision when referring to previously mentioned nouns, particularly when those nouns are linked to specific prepositions. This explanation focuses on the relative pronouns formed by contracting à (to/at) or de (of/from) with the various forms of lequel (which one/the one which). Understanding these forms is crucial for constructing clear, grammatically correct, and sophisticated French sentences.

At its core, lequel, laquelle, lesquels, and lesquelles function as a sophisticated way to say "which one" or "the one(s) which/whom." Their primary role here is to act as relative pronouns that introduce a subordinate clause and refer back to an antecedent noun in the main clause, avoiding repetition. For instance, instead of saying Je pense au projet. Le projet est intéressant., you can combine them: Le projet auquel je pense est intéressant. (The project to which I am thinking is interesting.).

The contraction with à and de is a fundamental characteristic of French phonology and grammar. Just as à + le becomes au and de + le becomes du, these relative pronouns undergo similar mandatory contractions. This linguistic mechanism ensures a smoother pronunciation and maintains the elegance of the language by preventing the awkward juxtaposition of certain prepositions and articles or pronouns.

The choice of the correct form of lequel (e.g., lequel, laquelle) depends entirely on the gender and number of the noun it replaces.

How This Grammar Works

French relative pronouns act as bridges, connecting a dependent clause to a main clause. When the noun being referred to (the antecedent) in the main clause is the object of a preposition à or de in the dependent clause, you cannot simply use qui or que. Instead, you must use a relative pronoun that incorporates the preposition.
Consider the English structure "the problem that I'm thinking about." In English, the preposition (about) can appear at the end of the clause. French, however, strictly requires the preposition to precede its object. Therefore, the French equivalent must be structured as "the problem about which I am thinking." This is where the contracted forms of lequel become indispensable.
The structure generally follows this pattern: [Antecedent Noun] + [Preposition + lequel form] + [Subject] + [Verb] + ....
The preposition (à or de) combines with the appropriate form of lequel (which agrees with the antecedent in gender and number) to create a single, cohesive pronoun. For example, if you are referring to le livre (masculine singular) and you pense à (think about) it, the phrase becomes le livre auquel je pense. Similarly, for la maison (feminine singular) that you viens de (come from), it would be la maison de laquelle je viens.
These constructions are not merely stylistic choices; they are grammatical necessities. They ensure that the sentence maintains a logical flow and clarity, precisely indicating the relationship between the antecedent and the action or state described in the relative clause. Mastery of these forms signifies a significant step towards understanding complex sentence structures in French and moving beyond simple subject-verb-object patterns.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming these relative pronouns is a systematic process based on the gender and number of the antecedent noun and the specific preposition involved. The base forms are derived from lequel:
2
lequel (masculine singular)
3
laquelle (feminine singular)
4
lesquels (masculine plural)
5
lesquelles (feminine plural)
6
These base forms then contract with the prepositions à and de according to the following rules, which parallel the contractions of definite articles:
7
Contractions with à (to/at):
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| Antecedent Gender/Number | Base lequel form | Contraction with à | Example | Translation |
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| :----------------------- | :---------------- | :------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
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| Masculine Singular | lequel | auquel | Le problème auquel il fait face. | The problem he is facing. |
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| Feminine Singular | laquelle | à laquelle | La difficulté à laquelle elle pense. | The difficulty she is thinking about. |
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| Masculine Plural | lesquels | auxquels | Les amis auxquels je parle. | The friends to whom I am speaking. |
13
| Feminine Plural | lesquelles | auxquelles | Les idées auxquelles ils adhèrent. | The ideas to which they subscribe. |
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Notice that only the masculine forms lequel and lesquels contract with à. The feminine forms laquelle and lesquelles remain unchanged, simply preceded by à. This is a crucial distinction to remember.
15
Contractions with de (of/from/about):
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| Antecedent Gender/Number | Base lequel form | Contraction with de | Example | Translation |
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| :----------------------- | :---------------- | :-------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
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| Masculine Singular | lequel | duquel | Le sujet duquel nous discutons. | The subject about which we are discussing. |
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| Feminine Singular | laquelle | de laquelle | La région de laquelle il vient. | The region from which he comes. |
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| Masculine Plural | lesquels | desquels | Les livres desquels il a besoin. | The books he needs. |
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| Feminine Plural | lesquelles | desquelles | Les personnes desquelles elle s'occupe. | The people she takes care of. |
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Similar to the à contractions, only the masculine forms lequel and lesquels contract with de. The feminine forms laquelle and lesquelles maintain their original structure, preceded by de.
23
It is imperative to correctly identify the gender and number of the antecedent noun before choosing the appropriate form. A common pitfall for learners is overlooking this agreement, which leads to grammatical errors. For instance, if la table (feminine singular) is the antecedent and you want to say "the table on which I put the book," you must use sur laquelle (la table sur laquelle j'ai posé le livre), not sur lequel.

When To Use It

These specialized relative pronouns are employed in specific grammatical contexts, primarily when the relative clause describes an antecedent noun that is the object of a preposition à or de. Their usage ensures grammatical accuracy and often adds a layer of precision or formality to your French.
  1. 1Verbs Requiring à or de: Many French verbs inherently require à or de to connect to their indirect object. When this indirect object is the antecedent of a relative clause, you must use the appropriate contracted pronoun.
  • Examples with à verbs:
  • penser à (to think about): Le projet auquel il pense est ambitieux. (The project he is thinking about is ambitious.)
  • obéir à (to obey): La règle à laquelle nous devons obéir. (The rule we must obey.)
  • contribuer à (to contribute to): Les initiatives auxquelles je contribue. (The initiatives to which I contribute.)
  • Examples with de verbs:
  • parler de (to speak about): Le problème duquel ils parlent est complexe. (The problem they are speaking about is complex.)
  • avoir besoin de (to need): Les outils desquels j'ai besoin sont chers. (The tools I need are expensive.)
  • se souvenir de (to remember): Les vacances desquelles je me souviens. (The holidays I remember.)
  1. 1Compound Prepositions Ending in de or à: This is a particularly important usage. When the relative clause involves a compound preposition (a phrase acting as a preposition) that ends in de or à, you must use the duquel/auquel series. The common relative pronoun dont cannot be used with compound prepositions. Some frequent examples include à côté de (next to), en face de (in front of), près de (near), loin de (far from), grâce à (thanks to), suite à (following).
  • Example: La gare près de laquelle j'habite. (The station near which I live.)
  • Example: L'immeuble en face duquel se trouve la boulangerie. (The building in front of which the bakery is located.)
  • Example: La solution grâce à laquelle nous avons réussi. (The solution thanks to which we succeeded.)
  1. 1Clarity and Specificity: In situations where the relative pronoun needs to clearly refer to a specific noun among several, or when there might be ambiguity, these forms provide unambiguous reference. This is especially true in formal writing or when precise communication is paramount.
  • For instance, in a legal or technical document, les lois auxquelles il est fait référence (the laws to which reference is made) is far clearer and more formal than a potentially ambiguous rephrasing.
  1. 1Formal or Elevated Style: While not exclusive to formal contexts, the auquel/duquel constructions often lend a more formal or polished tone to speech and writing. In academic papers, professional emails, or literary texts, their correct use is expected and contributes to the overall eloquence. Native speakers might rephrase sentences in very casual speech to avoid these, but they remain a vital part of standard French.

Common Mistakes

Navigating auquel and duquel can be challenging for learners, and several common errors arise due to misunderstandings of agreement, contraction rules, and distinctions from other relative pronouns.
  1. 1Incorrect Gender and Number Agreement: This is arguably the most frequent mistake. Learners often default to auquel or duquel regardless of the antecedent's gender or number. Always remember that the chosen form (lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles) must agree with the noun it replaces.
  • Incorrect: La voiture auquel je pense. (The car to which I think.) - voiture is feminine.
  • Correct: La voiture à laquelle je pense.
  1. 1Forgetting Mandatory Contractions: Attempting to say à lequel or de lequel is grammatically incorrect in modern standard French. These forms always contract.
  • Incorrect: Le projet à lequel il participe.
  • Correct: Le projet auquel il participe.
  1. 1Confusing with dont: While dont also means "of which" or "from which," its usage is limited to simpler de phrases where de is directly linked to the verb or indicates possession. dont cannot be used with compound prepositions.
  • Use dont for: Le livre dont je parle. (The book of which I speak. - parler de)
  • Use duquel/de laquelle/desquels/desquelles for:
  • Compound prepositions: La chaise à côté de laquelle il est assis. (The chair next to which he is sitting.)
  • When de implies an explicit quantity or part of a whole, especially with numbers or indefinite pronouns: Deux des projets desquels il est responsable. (Two of the projects for which he is responsible.)
  • When referring to people after de: L'homme duquel il a reçu la lettre. (The man from whom he received the letter.) - though de qui is often preferred for people.
  1. 1Incorrectly Using qui or que: Qui (subject) and que (direct object) are the most common relative pronouns, but they do not carry prepositions in the same way. Qui can follow a preposition when referring to people (à qui, avec qui), but for things, you generally use the lequel forms after prepositions.
  • Incorrect (for things): L'ordinateur que je suis accro à. (The computer that I am addicted to.)
  • Correct: L'ordinateur auquel je suis accro. (The computer to which I am addicted.)
  1. 1Overuse or Inappropriateness in Informal Contexts: While grammatically correct, these forms can sound overly formal in very casual spoken French or texting. Native speakers might naturally rephrase to avoid them in such situations, opting for simpler constructions or even omitting the relative pronoun if context allows.
  • Instead of Le film auquel je pense, a casual speaker might say Le film que je pense (grammatically incorrect but common in very informal spoken French) or Le film. J'y pense. (using an adverbial pronoun).
Understanding these distinctions and practicing consistently will help you avoid these pitfalls and use auquel and duquel (and their feminine/plural counterparts) with confidence and accuracy.

Real Conversations

In contemporary French, auquel and duquel forms are typically found in more considered speech and writing, from professional contexts to slightly elevated daily discourse, ensuring precision. They are less common in rapid, informal exchanges where simpler rephrasing or less formal structures might be used, especially by younger generations.

1. In a work email about a project:

Cher Monsieur Dubois, Je vous écris concernant le rapport auquel nous avons travaillé la semaine dernière. Les modifications desquelles vous m'avez fait part ont été intégrées.

(Dear Mr. Dubois, I am writing to you concerning the report on which we worked last week. The changes of which you informed me have been integrated.)

2. Discussing cultural events with friends (slightly formal context):

J'ai lu un article sur l'exposition de photos à laquelle tu as assisté. C'est celle duquel le critique a tant parlé ?

(I read an article about the photo exhibition you attended. Is that the one about which the critic spoke so much?)

3. In a social media post about travel (more formal than a casual text):

La ville de laquelle je suis tombé amoureux la première fois que je l'ai visitée.

(The city with which I fell in love the first time I visited it.)

4. Explaining a problem to a colleague:

C'est une situation complexe à laquelle nous devons trouver une solution rapidement. Les données auxquelles je fais référence sont dans le dossier partagé.

(It's a complex situation to which we must find a solution quickly. The data to which I am referring are in the shared folder.)

5. Casual remark about a common object (but still precise):

Tiens, la clé avec laquelle tu as ouvert la porte est sur la table à côté de laquelle tu as laissé ton téléphone.

(Here, the key with which you opened the door is on the table next to which you left your phone.)

These examples illustrate that while not exclusively academic, these pronouns contribute to clarity and correctness across various communication scenarios, reflecting a nuanced understanding of French grammar.

Quick FAQ

  • Can I use auquel and duquel for people?
Yes, you can, especially in formal contexts, but à qui (to whom) and de qui (of whom/from whom) are generally preferred and sound more natural when referring to people after prepositions. For example, L'ami à qui j'ai parlé is more common than L'ami auquel j'ai parlé.
  • Are these forms always formal?
They tend to be more formal than other simpler structures, especially the de laquelle/desquels forms when following compound prepositions. However, their use is dictated more by the need for grammatical precision than strict formality. In any written context, they are standard.
  • How do I know if the verb or phrase requires à or de?
This is perhaps the most challenging aspect for learners: you must learn which prepositions accompany specific verbs, adjectives, or nouns. There is no universal rule; it often requires memorization. For instance, penser à quelque chose (to think about something), parler de quelque chose (to speak about something), être responsable de quelque chose (to be responsible for something).
  • Are these forms essential for an A1 (Beginner) learner?
While A1 typically focuses on more basic sentence structures, recognizing these forms and understanding their fundamental purpose (avoiding repetition, carrying prepositions) is beneficial. Active production might be a goal for A2 or B1, but passive comprehension at A1 helps lay a strong foundation. You will encounter them in authentic materials.
  • What is the difference between dont and duquel forms?
Dont is a simpler relative pronoun primarily used for de phrases where de is directly governed by a verb (parler de), an adjective (fier de), or indicates possession (le livre dont la couverture...). Duquel, de laquelle, desquels, desquelles are used with compound prepositions (e.g., à côté de, loin de) and when the clarity of the antecedent's gender/number is paramount, or when de implies a partitive or explicit group. If you can replace de + noun with dont, then use dont.
Otherwise, consider duquel forms.
  • What about où?
Où is a relative pronoun that refers exclusively to place or time. It can sometimes incorporate prepositions of place implicitly (e.g., l'endroit où je travaille means l'endroit dans lequel je travaille), but it cannot replace auquel or duquel when referring to things that are direct or indirect objects of à or de.

Agreement Table

Gender/Number Base With 'à' With 'de'
Masculine Singular
lequel
auquel
duquel
Feminine Singular
laquelle
à laquelle
de laquelle
Masculine Plural
lesquels
auxquels
desquels
Feminine Plural
lesquelles
auxquelles
desquelles

Meanings

These pronouns replace a noun preceded by a preposition (à or de) to avoid repetition in a relative clause.

1

Spatial/Abstract Reference

Connecting a noun to a clause where that noun acts as an indirect object or object of a preposition.

“La maison dans laquelle j'habite.”

“Le sujet auquel il s'intéresse.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Pronouns: Which One? (auquel, duquel)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + Prep + Lequel
Le stylo avec lequel j'écris.
Negative
Noun + Prep + Lequel + ne...pas
Le dossier auquel je ne pense pas.
Question
Prep + Lequel + ...?
À laquelle de ces voitures penses-tu?
Plural
Noun + Prep + Lesquels
Les collègues avec lesquels je travaille.
Feminine
Noun + Prep + Laquelle
La ville dans laquelle je vis.
Contracted
à + lequel
Le but auquel il aspire.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
La chaise sur laquelle je m'assois.

La chaise sur laquelle je m'assois. (Furniture description)

Neutral
La chaise où je m'assois.

La chaise où je m'assois. (Furniture description)

Informal
La chaise que je m'assois dessus.

La chaise que je m'assois dessus. (Furniture description)

Slang
La chaise sur laquelle je me pose.

La chaise sur laquelle je me pose. (Furniture description)

Relative Pronoun Decision Tree

Preposition?

If 'à'

  • auquel to which (m)
  • auxquelles to which (f.pl)

If 'de'

  • duquel of which (m)
  • desquelles of which (f.pl)
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Examples by Level

1

C'est le livre auquel je pense.

This is the book I am thinking of.

1

La chaise sur laquelle je m'assois est vieille.

The chair on which I sit is old.

1

Voici les amis avec lesquels je voyage.

Here are the friends with whom I travel.

1

C'est le projet auquel il a consacré sa vie.

This is the project to which he dedicated his life.

1

Les conditions auxquelles nous avons souscrit sont strictes.

The conditions to which we subscribed are strict.

1

Il s'agit d'une théorie à laquelle peu de chercheurs adhèrent.

It is a theory to which few researchers adhere.

Easily Confused

French Pronouns: Which One? (auquel, duquel) vs Dont vs Duquel

Both can replace 'de'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Le livre qui je pense

✓

Le livre auquel je pense

Need prepositional pronoun.
✗

La fille à laquelle je parle

✓

La fille à qui je parle

For people, 'qui' is preferred.
✗

Le projet duquel je travaille

✓

Le projet auquel je travaille

Work ON a project (travailler à).
✗

Les conditions desquelles je dépends

✓

Les conditions dont je dépends

Use 'dont' for 'de' verbs.

Sentence Patterns

C'est le ___ auquel je pense.

Real World Usage

Job Interview very common

Le poste auquel je postule.

Academic Essay constant

La théorie à laquelle il se réfère.

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💡

Check the Verb

Always check if the verb takes 'à' or 'de' before choosing the pronoun.

Smart Tips

Use 'auquel' to sound professional.

Le projet que je travaille. → Le projet auquel je travaille.

Pronunciation

o-kel

Liaison

Ensure liaison between 'auxquels' and following vowels.

Rising

Auquel? ↑

Questioning which one.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'Auquel' starts with 'A' for 'à', 'Duquel' starts with 'D' for 'de'.

Visual Association

Imagine a bridge (the pronoun) connecting two islands (the noun and the clause). The bridge is named 'Lequel'.

Rhyme

Si le verbe prend 'à', utilise 'auquel', si c'est 'de', 'duquel' est le seul.

Story

I have a pen. I write with the pen. I say: 'Le stylo avec lequel j'écris est bleu.' The pen is the noun, 'avec' is the preposition, 'lequel' is the connector.

Word Web

lequelauquelduquellaquellelesquelslesquelles

Challenge

Write 3 sentences using 'auquel' and 3 using 'duquel' about your daily routine.

Cultural Notes

Used heavily in academic and professional settings.

Similar to France, but 'dont' is even more common in speech.

Standard French grammar applies in formal education.

Derived from Latin 'ille' + 'qui'.

Conversation Starters

“

Quel est le projet auquel tu travailles en ce moment?

“

Quelle est la personne avec laquelle tu aimes discuter?

Journal Prompts

Describe a goal to which you are dedicated.
Describe a book from which you learned a lot.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Le projet ___ je pense est difficile.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: auquel
Penser à.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Le projet ___ je pense est difficile.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: auquel
Penser à.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

6 exercises
Fill in the blank Fill in the Blank

La ville ___ je viens est petite. (venir de)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: de laquelle
Select the right form Multiple Choice

Les documents ___ il se réfère sont perdus.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: auxquels
Translate into French Translation

The ideas to which she adheres.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Les idées auxquelles elle adhère.
Fix the error Error Correction

Le garçon de laquelle je parle est là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Le garçon duquel je parle est là.
Reorder the sentence Sentence Reorder

pense / auquel / Le / je / film / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Le film auquel je pense.
Match the preposition to the pronoun Match Pairs

Match these pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: à + lequel = auquel

Score: /6

FAQ (1)

No, use 'à qui' for people.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

el cual

Spanish is less strict about prepositional contraction.

German moderate

welcher

German uses cases, French uses prepositions.

Japanese low

no

Japanese is agglutinative.

Arabic moderate

alladhi

Arabic is gender-inflected differently.

Chinese none

de

Chinese has no relative pronoun inflection.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Relative Pronouns after Prepositions (Lequel/Laquelle)

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