Language/French/Grammar/Relative-Clause

Relative Clause

A relative clause (in French, “une proposition subordonnée relative”) provides more information about a noun or pronoun from the previous clause without having to begin a new sentence.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Possessive determiners, Omission of the article, Use of stressed pronouns for emphasis & Manner adverbs.

Examples

The underlined text in the examples below is the relative clause:

• Ce sont les amis avec lesquels je suis des cours de français.

These are the friends with whom I take French lessons.

• Vincent, que je connais depuis 1 an, est très intelligent.

Vincent, whom I have known for 1 year, is very intelligent.

• Antony, qui porte des lunettes, est le plus grand du collège.

Antony, who wears glasses, is the tallest in the college.