el que / qui
Free Relative Clauses
El que introduces a free relative referring to content or things; qui refers to people.
How It Works
El que dius és cert means what you say is true. The relative expression itself functions as a noun phrase; it does not need a separate antecedent before el que. Allò que can make the thing or content reference more explicit.
A free relative can serve as the subject, object or complement of a preposition: el que proposeu interessa, revisarem el que proposeu, parlarem del que proposeu. For people, qui introduces the corresponding open reference. Subjunctive in el que calgui or qui vulgui leaves the item or person to be determined by the stated condition; indicative can present a known proposal or participant.
Examples (3)
- El que proposeu interessa a tothom.
What you propose interests everyone.
- Revisarem el que calgui.
We will review whatever is necessary.
- Qui vulgui pot parlar.
Whoever wants may speak.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize the free relative as a complete noun phrase about content. Build a personal free or prepositional relative with qui.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice el que / qui in Bubblegum
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