lequel / laquelle (relatif)
Relative Pronoun Lequel After a Preposition
The relative pronoun lequel replaces a noun after a preposition (like avec, pour, sur). It must agree in gender and number with the noun it replaces and often contracts with à and de.
How It Works
The relative pronoun lequel is used to link two clauses using a preposition. While dont is used for the preposition de and où is used for place or time, lequel is the standard choice for most other prepositions.
1. Agreement and Forms
It must match the noun it refers to (the antecedent):
- Masculine Singular: lequel
- Feminine Singular: laquelle
- Masculine Plural: lesquels
- Feminine Plural: lesquelles
2. Mandatory Contractions
When used with the prepositions à or de, it forms contractions:
- à + lequel = auquel / à + lesquels = auxquels / à + lesquelles = auxquelles
- de + lequel = duquel / de + lesquels = desquels / de + lesquelles = desquelles
Note: The feminine singular forms à laquelle and de laquelle do not contract; they remain two separate words.
3. Usage: Things vs. People
For inanimate objects, lequel is the standard choice after most prepositions (e.g., le stylo avec lequel...), though où is frequently used for places and time. For people, French speakers usually prefer qui (e.g., l'ami avec qui...).
However, there are two major exceptions where lequel is used for people:
- Mandatory use: You must use lequel after the prepositions entre (between) and parmi (among).
- Clarification: lequel can be used to resolve ambiguity. Because it shows gender and number, it helps clarify which person you are referring to if there are multiple nouns in the sentence.
4. Lequel vs. Dont
Use dont for simple verbs that take de. Use duquel (and its variations) after compound prepositions that end in de, such as à côté de or près de. It is also used when the noun it complements is the object of another preposition (e.g., sur le toit duquel), or to resolve ambiguity between two nouns. Note: When referring to people after compound prepositions, French speakers heavily prefer de qui over duquel (e.g., l'ami à côté de qui je suis assis).
5. Indefinite Antecedents
When the antecedent is an inanimate indefinite pronoun (such as ce, rien, or quelque chose), use quoi instead of lequel after a preposition (e.g., ce à quoi). However, if the indefinite pronoun refers to a person (such as quelqu'un or personne), qui must be used instead (e.g., je cherche quelqu'un à qui parler).
Examples (6)
- C'est le stylo avec lequel j'écris mes lettres.
This is the pen with which I write my letters.
Word by Word: It is the pen with which I write my letters.
'Le stylo' is masculine singular, so we use 'lequel' after the preposition 'avec'.
- Voici les raisons pour lesquelles j'ai refusé l'offre.
Here are the reasons for which I refused the offer.
Word by Word: Here are the reasons for which I have refused the offer.
'Les raisons' is feminine plural, so we use 'lesquelles'.
- Le restaurant à côté duquel je travaille est excellent.
The restaurant next to which I work is excellent.
Word by Word: The restaurant at side of which I work is excellent.
Because 'à côté de' is a compound preposition, we use 'duquel' (de + lequel) instead of 'dont'.
- C'est une situation à laquelle je n'avais pas pensé.
It's a situation which I hadn't thought about.
Word by Word: It is a situation to which I not had not thought.
The verb 'penser à' requires the preposition 'à'. Since 'situation' is feminine, we use 'à laquelle'.
- Les dossiers auxquels tu fais référence sont sur le bureau.
The files to which you are referring are on the desk.
Word by Word: The files to which you make reference are on the desk.
'Les dossiers' is masculine plural, so 'à + lesquels' contracts to 'auxquels'.
- Ce sont les amis parmi lesquels il se sent le mieux.
These are the friends among whom he feels the best.
Word by Word: These are the friends among whom he himself feels the best.
Even when referring to people, 'lequel' (here 'lesquels') must be used after the preposition 'parmi'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'qui' for inanimate objects after a preposition.
La table sur qui j'ai posé mon sac.La table sur laquelle j'ai posé mon sac.In French, 'qui' after a preposition is reserved for people. For objects like 'la table', you must use 'laquelle'.
Stranding the preposition at the end of the sentence (English word order).
Le projet lequel je travaille sur.Le projet sur lequel je travaille.In French, the preposition must always come before the relative pronoun. You cannot end a sentence with a preposition like in English.
Using 'duquel' where 'dont' is the usual choice.
Different MeaningLe livre duquel je parle.Le livre dont je parle.'Le livre duquel je parle' is correct, but it sounds heavy. If the verb simply takes 'de' (parler de), 'dont' is the normal choice. 'Duquel' is mainly used after compound prepositions like 'en face de' or 'loin de'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn 'lequel' after a preposition, you must first understand how the interrogative 'quel' changes for gender and number, as 'lequel' follows these same patterns. You also need a solid grasp of basic prepositions (like avec, pour, sur) and the general concept of relative pronouns used to connect clauses.
- quel / quelle / quels / quellesWhich/what with Quel
The relative pronoun lequel is formed by combining the definite article with the interrogative adjective quel, following the same gender and number agreement rules.
Level 1 - avecWith with Avec
Understanding how prepositions function in a sentence is essential, as lequel is specifically used to link a relative clause following a preposition (other than 'de').
Level 1 - que (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Que (Object)
Familiarity with basic relative pronouns like 'que' provides the conceptual foundation for how relative clauses function to describe a noun.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- dontRelative Pronoun Dont
'Dont' is the standard relative pronoun for the preposition 'de', whereas 'duquel' is used for compound prepositions ending in 'de'.
Level 3 - qui (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Qui (Subject)
While 'qui' is usually a subject, it is also the preferred pronoun for people after a preposition, whereas 'lequel' is preferred for things.
Level 2 - au (à + le)Contraction a + Le = Au
The rules for contracting 'à' and 'de' with 'lequel' follow the same logic as basic article contractions.
Level 1 - lequel (interrogatif)Which One with Lequel
The forms of 'lequel' used as a relative pronoun are identical to those used when asking 'which one?'
Level 3 - où (pronom relatif)Relative Pronoun Ou (Place/time)
'Où' is often used as a simpler alternative to 'dans lequel' when referring to places or time.
Level 3
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