AHH! I just remember about my french test tomorrow on qui and que.
How do you know when to use which? HELP!
My text book makes me confuse when I read how it explains it.
You may have to wait until tomorrow for our French expert.
Dang. I completely forgot about this.
Okay so I read on the internet:
Qui is only used if it refers back to the direct subject of the sentence
Que is only used if it refers back to the direct object of a sentence
Since I suck at grammar, I have no idea what the direct object is :P
Ms. Sue, HELP!!!!!!!
You need a better English Class if you don't know what direct and indirect objects are!
Direct Object = he sees ME, I see YOU, you see HIM, HER, IT, US, THEM
Indrect Object = he writes TO ME, TO HER, TO HIM, TO US, TO THEM. The indirect object either STATES or has UNDERSTOOD: to, for, at, from
Now, for French direct-object pronouns are: me, (m'), te, (t'), le (l'), la (l'), nous, vous, les
The indirect-object pronouns are: the same EXCEPT for 3rd person = lui, leur
As for qui and que: (Relative Pronouns)
qui = who, which, that: subject of a verb; used for both persons and things.
Examples: Où est l'enfant QUI s'est fait mal? = Where is the child WHO hurt himself?
Le français est une langue QUI nous plaît. = French is a language THAT (WHICH) pleases us.
que (qu') = whom, which, that: direct object of a verb; used for both persons and things.
Examples: C'est l'actrice QUE nous avons vue hier soir. = She is the actress (WHOM) we saw last night.
Voici les phrases QU'il a traduites. = Here are the sentences (THAT) he translated.
qui = whom: object of a preposition; used only for persons
Examples: Philippe est l'ami avec QUI j'étudie. = Philip is the friend with WHOM I study.
L'homme à QUI vous parliez est millionnaire. = The man to WHOM you were speaking is a millionaire.
lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles = WHICH; object of a preposition; used principally for things.
You are only concerned with QUE and QUI it seems for tomorrow.
Bonne chance!
Sra (aka Mme)
Don't worry! I'm here to help you understand the difference between "qui" and "que" in French.
To know when to use "qui" and "que," you need to consider the function of the pronoun in the sentence. Here's a breakdown:
1. "Qui":
- Use "qui" when it functions as the subject of the sentence or when it refers to a person.
- For example: "Paul, qui est mon ami, parle français." (Paul, who is my friend, speaks French.) In this sentence, "qui" represents the subject "Paul."
2. "Que":
- Use "que" when it functions as the direct object of the sentence or when it refers to a thing or an idea.
- For example: "J'aime le livre que tu m'as donné." (I like the book that you gave me.) Here, "que" represents the direct object "the book."
Now, let me explain a simple way to help you remember when to use "qui" and "que":
1. Identify the action in the sentence. Determine who or what is performing the action.
- Example: "Éric a vu le chien." (Éric saw the dog.)
- In this sentence, Éric is performing the action, which is seeing the dog.
2. Now, ask "who" or "what" is performing the action. If the answer is a person, use "qui." If it's a thing or an idea, use "que."
- Example: "Éric a vu le chien qui aboyait." (Éric saw the dog that was barking.)
- Here, "qui" refers to the subject (the dog).
3. Finally, make sure to place "qui" or "que" immediately after the noun or pronoun it refers to.
- Example: "La fille que j'ai rencontrée est très sympathique." (The girl whom I met is very nice.)
- Here, "que" refers to "the girl" and is placed directly after it.
Remember to practice more examples and pay attention to the role of the pronouns in each sentence. With practice, you'll become more confident in using "qui" and "que" correctly.
Good luck on your French test!