Preposition + lequel
Complex Prepositions with Lequel
The relative pronoun lequel (which/whom) is used after prepositions like avec, pour, or sur. It must match the gender and number of the noun it refers to.
How It Works
The pattern Preposition + lequel is essential for connecting ideas when a noun is the object of a preposition.
1. Agreement:
You must choose the form that matches the antecedent (the noun you are referring back to):
- Masculine Singular: lequel
- Feminine Singular: laquelle
- Masculine Plural: lesquels
- Feminine Plural: lesquelles
2. Mandatory Contractions:
Just like the definite articles au and du, lequel contracts when it follows à or de, except in the feminine singular:
- à + lequel = auquel
- à + lesquels = auxquels
- à + lesquelles = auxquelles
- à + laquelle = à laquelle (no contraction)
- de + lequel = duquel
- de + lesquels = desquels
- de + lesquelles = desquelles
- de + laquelle = de laquelle (no contraction)
3. People vs. Things:
For people, qui is the standard choice after a preposition in most registers (e.g., l'ami avec qui...). Lequel is primarily used for things. However, you must use lequel for people after the prepositions parmi (among) and entre (between). Lequel is also used for people to resolve ambiguity or to provide extra precision in formal and legal writing.
4. Places:
When referring to a physical location, French speakers often prefer using où instead of dans lequel or sur lequel (e.g., la maison où j'habite).
5. 'Dont' vs. 'Duquel':
Use dont for simple de phrases. Use duquel (and its variations) only after compound prepositions ending in de (e.g., à côté de) or prepositional phrases that include a noun (e.g., à la fin de, au milieu de).
Examples (6)
- C'est la table sur laquelle j'ai posé mes clés.
It is the table on which I placed my keys.
Word by Word: It is the table on which I have placed my keys.
'Laquelle' is used because 'la table' is feminine singular.
- Voici les outils avec lesquels il travaille.
Here are the tools with which he works.
Word by Word: Here are the tools with which he works.
'Lesquels' is used because 'les outils' is masculine plural.
- C'est une situation à laquelle je n'avais pas pensé.
It's a situation that I hadn't thought about.
Word by Word: It is a situation to which I (not) had thought.
The verb 'penser à' requires the preposition 'à'. Since 'situation' is feminine, we use 'à laquelle'.
- Le film auquel je fais référence est très célèbre.
The movie to which I am referring is very famous.
Word by Word: The movie to-which I make reference is very famous.
'Auquel' is the contraction of 'à + lequel', matching the masculine singular 'le film'.
- L'immeuble en face duquel j'habite est ancien.
The building opposite which I live is old.
Word by Word: The building in face of-which I live is old.
We use 'duquel' because the preposition is the compound 'en face de'.
- Ce sont les amis parmi lesquels il se sent bien.
These are the friends among whom he feels good.
Word by Word: These are the friends among whom he himself feels well.
Even for people, 'lequel' must be used after 'parmi' or 'entre'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'que' after a preposition (Preposition Stranding).
Le projet que je travaille sur est difficile.Le projet sur lequel je travaille est difficile.In a French relative clause, the preposition must come before the relative pronoun 'lequel'. You cannot leave it at the end as in English.
Forgetting to contract 'à' or 'de' with 'lequel'.
Le problème à lequel il pense...Le problème auquel il pense...Just like 'à + le' becomes 'au', 'à + lequel' must become 'auquel'.
Using 'duquel' instead of 'dont' for simple 'de' verbs.
Le livre duquel j'ai besoin.Le livre dont j'ai besoin.If the verb simply takes 'de' (avoir besoin de), use 'dont'. Use 'duquel' only for multi-word prepositions like 'à côté de' or phrases containing a noun like 'à la fin de'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'lequel' with prepositions, you must first understand how 'lequel' changes to match the gender and number of the noun it replaces. You also need a solid grasp of basic relative clauses and common French prepositions that introduce these complex relative structures.
- lequel (interrogatif)Which One with Lequel
The relative pronoun 'lequel' shares the same forms and gender/number agreement rules as the interrogative pronoun 'lequel'.
Level 3 - que (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Que (Object)
Understanding basic relative clauses is necessary before learning how to use complex relative pronouns with prepositions.
Level 2 - pourFor with Pour
Knowledge of basic prepositions like 'pour', 'avec', and 'sur' is required as they are the functional components that combine with 'lequel'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- qui (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Qui (Subject)
Qui is the simple relative pronoun for subjects, and is also preferred for people after prepositions.
Level 2 - dontRelative Pronoun Dont
Dont is used for simple 'de' relationships, whereas 'duquel' is used for compound prepositions ending in 'de'.
Level 3 - au (à + le)Contraction a + Le = Au
The rules for contracting 'à' with 'le' are the same rules used to form 'auquel'.
Level 1 - du (de + le)Contraction De + Le = Du
The rules for contracting 'de' with 'le' are the same rules used to form 'duquel'.
Level 1 - où (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Ou (Place/time)
In casual speech, 'où' often replaces 'dans lequel' when referring to places or time.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Preposition + lequel in Bubblegum
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