Compound Preposition + lequel

Lequel After Multi-word Prepositions

Level 5

In formal French, when a relative clause follows a complex preposition (a phrase like à côté de or grâce à), you must use the compound relative pronoun lequel. It changes form to match the gender and number of the noun it replaces.

How It Works

The pronoun lequel is a relative pronoun used after prepositions. At Level 5, we focus on its use with locutions prépositives (complex prepositions).

1. Agreement
The pronoun must agree with the antecedent in gender and number:

  • Masculine Singular: lequel
  • Feminine Singular: laquelle
  • Masculine Plural: lesquels
  • Feminine Plural: lesquelles

2. Contractions with 'de' and 'à'
When the complex preposition ends in de or à, you must apply these contractions:

  • de + lequel/lesquels/lesquelles → duquel, desquels, desquelles (Note: de laquelle remains separate).
  • à + lequel/lesquels/lesquelles → auquel, auxquels, auxquelles (Note: à laquelle remains separate).

3. Mandatory Use: Entre and Parmi
Unlike simple prepositions where qui is common for people, the prepositions entre and parmi must always be followed by a form of lequel, regardless of whether you are referring to people or objects.

4. Usage Nuance and Ambiguity
This structure is common in formal, legal, or academic writing. In formal contexts, lequel is often used for people instead of qui to resolve ambiguity; because lequel agrees in gender and number, it clarifies exactly which noun is being referred to. Note that dont cannot be used after a complex preposition; you must use the duquel forms instead.

Examples (5)

  1. C'est la clause en vertu de laquelle le contrat a été résilié.

    This is the clause by virtue of which the contract was terminated.

    Word by Word: It is the clause in virtue of which the contract has been terminated.

    'La clause' is feminine singular, so we use 'laquelle'. Since 'en vertu de' ends in 'de', we use 'de laquelle' (no contraction for feminine singular).

  2. Voici les collègues parmi lesquels j'ai travaillé pendant des années.

    Here are the colleagues among whom I worked for years.

    Word by Word: Here are the colleagues among whom I have worked during some years.

    The preposition 'parmi' always requires a form of 'lequel' even for people. 'Les collègues' is masculine plural, so we use 'lesquels'.

  3. Le bâtiment à côté duquel j'habite est très ancien.

    The building next to which I live is very old.

    Word by Word: The building at side of which I live is very old.

    'Le bâtiment' is masculine singular. 'À côté de' + 'lequel' contracts to 'duquel'.

  4. Il y a des règles conformément auxquelles nous devons agir.

    There are rules in accordance with which we must act.

    Word by Word: There are some rules conformably to which we must act.

    'Les règles' is feminine plural. 'Conformément à' + 'lesquelles' contracts to 'auxquelles'.

  5. C'est l'homme à côté duquel elle s'est assise.

    It is the man next to whom she sat.

    Word by Word: It is the man at side of whom she herself is seated.

    After complex prepositions like 'à côté de', 'lequel' is the standard choice for people. 'De' + 'lequel' contracts to 'duquel'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'dont' after a complex preposition.

    Le parc à côté dont je joue.
    Le parc à côté duquel je joue.

    'Dont' can only replace a simple 'de'. If 'de' is part of a multi-word phrase like 'à côté de', you must use 'duquel/desquels'.

  • Failing to contract 'de' or 'à' with the pronoun.

    Les problèmes à propos de lesquels on parle.
    Les problèmes à propos desquels on parle.

    Just like the articles 'du' and 'des', 'de' must contract with 'lequel', 'lesquels', and 'lesquelles'.

  • Using 'qui' for inanimate objects after a complex preposition.

    La table sur le coin de qui j'ai posé mon sac.
    La table sur le coin de laquelle j'ai posé mon sac.

    While 'qui' is used for people after prepositions, 'lequel' (and its forms) is required for things/objects.

How It Connects

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Compound Preposition + lequelLevel 5Lequel After Multi-word Prepositions

Learn This First

To use lequel with complex prepositions (like 'en vertu de' or 'à l'égard de'), you must first understand how lequel functions as a relative pronoun and how it agrees in gender and number with its antecedent. Additionally, you need to be familiar with the contraction of the preposition 'de' with the definite article components of lequel (forming duquel and desquels).

Words in This Pattern

lequel