Relative Pronouns Flashcards
Subject definition
The subject is the noun or pronoun in a clause or sentence that performs the action of the verb. To find the subject, ask who or what is performing the action of the verb.
Subject pronouns
SINGULAR
1st person je > I
2nd person tu > you
3rd person - il > he, it
- elle > she, it
- on > one
PLURAL
1st person nous > we
2nd person vous > you
3rd person - ils > they (m)
- elles > they (f)
Direct Object definition
Direct objects are the people or things in a sentence which receive the action of the verb. To find the direct object in a sentence, ask the question “Who?” or “What?”
eg. I see Pierre. / Je vois Pierre. / Who do I see? Pierre.
I’m eating the bread / Je mange le pain. / What am I eating? - Bread.
Direct Object pronouns Definition + example
Direct object pronouns are the words that replace the direct object, so that we don’t say things like:
“Marie was at the bank today. When I saw Marie I smiled.”
It’s much more natural to say “Marie was at the bank today. When I saw her I smiled.”
Direct Object pronouns
me / m' me te / t' you le / l' him, it la / l' her, it nous us vous you les them
Placement of French Direct Object/Indirect Object pronouns
= usually placed in front of the verb
Indirect Object Definition
Indirect objects are prepositional phrases with the object of the preposition. An indirect object is a noun that receives the action of a verb.
Indirect objects are the objects in a sentence to or for whom/what* the action of the verb occurs.
Indirect Object pronoun Definition + example
Indirect object pronouns are the words that replace the indirect object, and in French they can only refer to a person or other animate noun.
eg. I’m talking to him = je lui parle
Indirect Object Pronouns
me / m' me te / t' you lui him, her nous us vous you leur them
Relative Pronoun Definition
Un mot de liaison placé entre deux groupes de mots pour faire une phrase plus longue, sans répéter un nom.
eg. Donnez-moi le livre. Le livre est sur la table.
- > Donnez-moi le livre qui est sur la table.
Relative pronouns link a dependent or relative clause to a main clause.
Relative Pronoun replaces
Relative pronouns may replace a subject, direct object, indirect object, or preposition.
L’antécédent
The antecedent is the name or pronoun to which a relative pronoun (or anaphoric pronoun - haven’t learned) relates.
ie.
Donnez-moi le livre. Le livre est sur la table.
-> Donnez-moi le livre qui est sur la table.
Le livre est sur la table. Le mot livre dans cette phrase s’appelle l’antécédent
Placement of the Relative Pronoun
Le pronom relatif est généralement placé immédiatement après son antécédent to which it refers.
(‘le livre qui…’)
Donnez-moi le livre qui est sur la table.
Main Relative Pronouns
Qui Que Dont Lequel Où
QUI functions
Subject + Indirect object (person)
Person + thing
