Level A2Sentence StructureEaquals/CIEP A2

Relatives: qui, que, où

qui, que, où

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qui, que, où

qui is the subject of the extra clause: l'amie qui arrive. que is the object: le livre que je lis. où is place or time: la ville où j'habite.

Notice the contrast:l'amie qui arrivele livre que je lis

Examples in context

Read the examples and compare their English meanings.

Subject of the clause

Use 'qui' before a verb.

Voici l'amie qui arrive.

Here is the friend who is arriving.

Object of the clause

Use 'que' before a subject.

J'aime le livre que tu lis.

I like the book that you are reading.

Place or time

Use 'où' for locations or times.

C'est la ville où j'habite.

This is the city where I live.

Common mix-ups

Compare: Voici l'amie que arrive.Use here: Voici l'amie qui arrive.

Qui is the subject of arrive. Que would replace a direct object.

Here is the friend who is arriving.

Try a reply

Say or write your answer in French before opening the example.

This is the café that I like.

Show one possible answer

C'est le café que j'aime.

Other wording can work too. Compare the verb form, agreement, and word order with the lesson. Then try a sentence about your own day.

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