Unit 14h - Relative Pronouns

Question 0

If there is no specific antecedent for a relative pronoun to refer to, the antecedent ce is added. Ce qui, ce que, ce dont, and ce à quoi, all meaning what, refer to ideas, not persons, and do not have gender or number. Choosing the correct indefinite relative pronoun depends on the pronoun’s function in the sentence (subject, direct object, or object of a preposition).

Answer 0

Ils ne comprennent pas ce qui se passe.

They do not understand what’s happening.

Question 1

If there is no specific antecedent for a relative pronoun to refer to, the antecedent ce is added. Ce qui, ce que, ce dont, and ce à quoi, all meaning what, refer to ideas, not persons, and do not have gender or number. Choosing the correct indefinite relative pronoun depends on the pronoun’s function in the sentence (subject, direct object, or object of a preposition).

Answer 1

Vous n’aimez pas ce qu’ il porte.

You don’t like what he is wearing.

Question 2

If there is no specific antecedent for a relative pronoun to refer to, the antecedent ce is added. Ce qui, ce que, ce dont, and ce à quoi, all meaning what, refer to ideas, not persons, and do not have gender or number. Choosing the correct indefinite relative pronoun depends on the pronoun’s function in the sentence (subject, direct object, or object of a preposition).

Answer 2

Vous vous demandez ce dont ils ont besoin.

You wonder what they need.

Question 3

If there is no specific antecedent for a relative pronoun to refer to, the antecedent ce is added. Ce qui, ce que, ce dont, and ce à quoi, all meaning what, refer to ideas, not persons, and do not have gender or number. Choosing the correct indefinite relative pronoun depends on the pronoun’s function in the sentence (subject, direct object, or object of a preposition).

Answer 3

Je ne sais pas à quoi il s’intéresse.

I don’t know what he is interested in.

Question 4

Commonly, these indefinite relative pronouns are placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. If a verb requires a preposition, it is repeated in the second clause.

Answer 4

Ce qui est difficile, c’est la grammaire.

What is difficult is grammar.

Question 5

Commonly, these indefinite relative pronouns are placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. If a verb requires a preposition, it is repeated in the second clause.

Answer 5

Ce que Marie aime, c’est la mousse au chocolat.

What Marie loves is chocolate mousse.

Question 6

Commonly, these indefinite relative pronouns are placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. If a verb requires a preposition, it is repeated in the second clause.

Answer 6

Ce dont ils ont peur, c’est d’ un autre ouragan.

What they fear is another hurricane.

Question 7

Commonly, these indefinite relative pronouns are placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. If a verb requires a preposition, it is repeated in the second clause.

Answer 7

Ce à quoi il s’oppose, c’est à l’élection de ce candidat.

What he is opposed to is this candidate’s election.