Relative Pronouns: qui, que, dont, où

Relative Pronouns in Complex Sentences

Four Basic Relative Pronouns

QUI — Subject in the Subordinate Clause (who/which)

Qui refers to the subject of the subordinate clause (replaces the subject):

• The client who is calling is impatient.
• The company which made the offer is reliable.
• The investors who are interested must send a file.

QUE — Direct Object in the Subordinate Clause (whom/which)

Que = direct object of the subordinate clause (replaces the object):

• The contract which we signed is valid.
• The offer which you proposed is interesting.
• The results which I analyzed confirm the trend.

Important: After que in passé composé, the participle agrees with the antecedent!

• La décision qu'il a prise (prise feminine — décision feminine)

DONT — Expresses “de + X” (whose/of which/about which)

Dont replaces the construction “de + [noun]”:

Possession:

• The director whose associate I met...
• The company whose turnover exceeds...

After verbs with de:

• parler de, avoir besoin de, se souvenir de, être content de...
• The project which we talked about is a priority.
• The solution which we need is available.

OÙ — Place or Time (where/when)

Où = place or point in time:

• The city where we have our office is Dubai.
• The day when we signed the contract...
• The building where our headquarters are located...

Business Examples

• We work with clients who operate across the entire GCC region.
• The report which you requested will be ready tomorrow.
• This is a project whose consequences will be significant.
• The room where the meeting is held is on the 5th floor.