What are Interrogative Pronouns?
Interrogative pronouns are question words that ask about people, things, or choices. In French, they include qui (who), que (what), quoi (what), lequel/laquelle (which one), and others, varying by context and formality.
Interrogative pronouns introduce questions by asking 'who,' 'what,' 'which,' or 'whom.' French forms include qui (who/whom), que/quoi (what), lequel/laquelle (which one), and combinations like duquel/desquels depending on gender and number.
- •qui = who (subject)
- •qui = whom (object, more formal)
- •à qui = to whom
- •de qui = from whom
- •que/quoi = what (after preposition: à quoi)
- •lequel (m.), laquelle (f.) = which one
- •lesquels (m. pl.), lesquelles (f. pl.) = which ones
Step-by-step worked examples
Who is at the door?
Qui est à la porte? (subject question: asking about the person doing the action)
Which one do you prefer?
Lequel préfères-tu? (asking to choose between items; laquelle if feminine, lesquels/lesquelles if plural)
What are you talking about?
De quoi parles-tu? (object question after preposition: à quoi, de quoi, pour quoi)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.French for 'who' (subject)?
Q2.'What' after a preposition (e.g., 'to what')?
Q3.'Which one' (feminine)?
Q4.Choose correct question: 'Whom did you see?'
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Common mistakes
Using que for people. — Correct: que is for things; use qui for people.
Forgetting the preposition before quoi. — Correct: quoi always follows a preposition: à quoi, de quoi, pour quoi.
Not agreeing lequel with gender/number. — Correct: lequel (m. sing.), laquelle (f. sing.), lesquels (m. pl.), lesquelles (f. pl.).
Confusing subject and object questions. — Correct: Qui + verb = subject; que/quoi in phrases and after prepositions = object.
FAQ
What is the French interrogative pronoun for 'who'?
qui — used for both subject and object questions about people, clarified by context.
When do you use quoi instead of que?
quoi is used after prepositions (à quoi, de quoi, pour quoi); que stands alone.
How do you ask 'which one' for multiple objects?
lesquels (masculine plural) or lesquelles (feminine plural).
What is the difference between qui and lequel?
qui is used for people; lequel is used for things and to choose between options.