ce que

What (Object) with Ce Que

Level 3

Ce que = 'What' (as an object).
Structure: Ce que + Subject + Verb.

How It Works

The phrase ce que is an indefinite relative pronoun. It is composed of ce (the thing) and que (that/which).

1. Grammatical Function
It serves as the direct object of the verb that follows it. This means the subject of the clause is doing something to the 'ce que'.
Example: Je sais ce que tu fais. (I know what you are doing). Here, 'tu' is the subject, and 'ce que' is what is being done.

2. Elision
When the following word starts with a vowel or a mute 'h', ce que becomes ce qu'.
Example: Ce qu'il dit est vrai. (What he says is true).

3. Statements vs. Questions
Do not confuse ce que with qu'est-ce que. Use qu'est-ce que for direct questions and ce que for indirect questions or general statements.

4. No Specific Antecedent
Unlike the simple relative pronoun que, which refers to a specific noun (e.g., le livre que je lis), ce que is used when the 'thing' is abstract, unknown, or refers to an entire idea.

Examples (5)

  1. Je ne comprends pas ce que tu dis.

    I don't understand what you are saying.

    Word by Word: I (negation) understand not that which you say.

    Here, 'ce que' is the object of the verb 'dis' (say). You are saying 'something', and that 'something' is 'ce que'.

  2. Ce qu'il veut, c'est un nouveau vélo.

    What he wants is a new bike.

    Word by Word: That which he wants, it is a new bike.

    Notice the elision to 'ce qu' before the vowel in 'il'. 'Ce que' is the object of 'veut' (wants).

  3. Dis-moi ce que tu penses de ce film.

    Tell me what you think of this movie.

    Word by Word: Tell me that which you think of this movie.

    This is an indirect question. 'Ce que' represents the thoughts (the object) of the person.

  4. Fais ce que tu veux.

    Do what you want.

    Word by Word: Do that which you want.

    A very common idiomatic expression where 'ce que' acts as the object of 'veux'.

  5. Elle a oublié ce que j'ai écrit.

    She forgot what I wrote.

    Word by Word: She has forgotten that which I have written.

    In compound tenses like the passé composé, 'ce que' still precedes the subject and verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'que' (that) when you mean 'what'.

    Different MeaningJe sais que tu veux.
    Je sais ce que tu veux.

    'Je sais que tu veux' uses 'que' as 'that', so it means 'I know that you want (it)'. To say 'I know what you want', use 'ce que'. As a relative pronoun, 'que' needs a noun before it; if there is none, use 'ce que' to mean 'what'.

  • Confusing 'ce que' (object) with 'ce qui' (subject).

    Je ne sais pas ce que se passe.
    Je ne sais pas ce qui se passe.

    Use ce qui when the 'what' is the subject of the following verb. Since 'se passe' (is happening) needs a subject, 'ce qui' is required.

  • Using 'ce que' to start a direct question.

    Ce que tu fais ?
    Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?

    For direct questions, use 'Qu'est-ce que'. 'Ce que' is reserved for statements or indirect questions.

How It Connects

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ce queLevel 3What (Object) with Ce Que

Learn This First

To understand 'ce que', you need to be familiar with how the relative pronoun 'que' functions as an object. You also need to understand the demonstrative 'ce' as a neutral 'that' or 'the thing', which provides the antecedent for the relative clause when no specific noun is mentioned.

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Words in This Pattern

ce que