ce dont...c'est
Emphasizing a De-phrase with Ce Dont...c'est
Use ce dont... c'est to highlight a specific piece of information that normally follows the preposition de (like with avoir besoin de or parler de). It translates to 'What I [verb]... is...'
How It Works
In French, you cannot simply use vocal stress to emphasize a word like in English. Instead, French uses structural patterns.
1. The 'De' Dependency
The pronoun dont is a relative pronoun that replaces de + [something]. Therefore, this pattern is only used when the verb or expression in the first clause requires de.
Common triggers include:
- avoir besoin de (to need)
- avoir peur de (to be afraid of)
- être fier de (to be proud of)
- parler de (to talk about)
- s'agir de (to be about)
2. Structure
The sentence follows this map: Ce dont + [Subject] + [Verb/Adjective requiring de], c'est + [Emphasized Element].
3. Repeating the 'De'
In formal and standard French, if the emphasized element is a noun or infinitive, you must repeat the de after c'est. For example: Ce dont j'ai envie, c'est de dormir (What I feel like doing is sleeping).
4. Plurality
Technically, c'est should become ce sont if the following noun is plural (e.g., Ce dont j'ai besoin, ce sont des vacances), but in modern spoken French, c'est is frequently used for both singular and plural.
Examples (5)
- Ce dont j'ai besoin, c'est de ton aide.
What I need is your help.
Word by Word: That of which I have need, it is of your help.
Uses 'dont' because the expression is 'avoir besoin de'.
- Ce dont elle parle, c'est de son nouveau projet.
What she is talking about is her new project.
Word by Word: That of which she speaks, it is of her new project.
Uses 'dont' because the verb is 'parler de'.
- Ce dont il est le plus fier, c'est de sa famille.
What he is most proud of is his family.
Word by Word: That of which he is the most proud, it is of his family.
Uses 'dont' because the adjective is 'être fier de'.
- Ce dont il s'agit, c'est d'un malentendu.
What this is about is a misunderstanding.
Word by Word: That of which it acts itself, it is of a misunderstanding.
Uses 'dont' because the impersonal verb is 's'agir de'.
- Ce dont j'ai peur, c'est de l'échec.
What I am afraid of is failure.
Word by Word: That of which I have fear, it is of the failure.
Uses 'dont' because the expression is 'avoir peur de'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'ce que' instead of 'ce dont' for verbs requiring 'de'.
Ce que j'ai besoin, c'est un café.Ce dont j'ai besoin, c'est d'un café.Since 'avoir besoin' requires the preposition 'de', you must use 'ce dont'. 'Ce que' is only for direct objects.
Dropping the 'de' after 'c'est'.
Ce dont j'ai envie, c'est dormir.Ce dont j'ai envie, c'est de dormir.Both forms are accepted, but 'c'est de dormir' is the more careful choice. It repeats the 'de' of 'avoir envie de' after 'ce dont'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'ce dont...c'est', you first need to understand the relative pronoun 'ce dont', which represents an object preceded by the preposition 'de'. Additionally, familiarity with the 'c'est...que' cleft structure is essential, as this pattern is a specific variation used for emphasis.
- ce dontWhat...of with Ce Dont
The pattern 'ce dont...c'est' is a cleft sentence construction built upon the relative pronoun 'ce dont' (what/that of which).
Level 3 - c'est...queEmphasizing an Object or Detail with C'est...que
Understanding the general structure of cleft sentences (c'est...que/qui) is necessary to grasp how this specific emphasis structure functions.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- dontRelative Pronoun Dont
This is the base relative pronoun used within the 'ce dont' structure to replace 'de' phrases.
Level 3 - ce quiWhat (Subject) with Ce Qui
The subject-equivalent cleft construction (What... is...).
Level 3 - ce queWhat (Object) with Ce Que
The direct object-equivalent cleft construction (What... is...).
Level 3 - c'est...quiEmphasizing the Subject with C'est...qui
The general pattern for emphasizing the subject of a sentence.
Level 4 - Verb + de + InfinitiveVerbs Linked to an Infinitive by De
Many of the verbs that trigger 'ce dont' are found in this list of verbs requiring 'de'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ce dont...c'est in Bubblegum
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