Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to elicit specific information about who has done what, and to whom. These pronouns may be used in est-ce que constructions or, usually, with inversions (note, however, that the subject pronoun will not invert). Which interrogative pronoun to use depends on whether the question focuses on a person or a thing, and whether the person or thing plays the grammatical role of subject, direct object, or object of a preposition. Here are the forms and their uses:

subject (person): qui est-ce qui, or qui + verb

Qui est-ce qui a fait ce tableau? Who did this painting?
Qui veut prendre une glace? Who wants to get an ice cream?

subject (thing): qu'est-ce qui

Qu'est-ce qui vous intéresse? What interests you?
Qu'est-ce qui est bon dans ce restaurant? What is good in the restaurant?

direct object (person): qui est-ce que, or qui + inverted verb

Qui est-ce que vous avez vu en France? Whom did you see in France?
Qui allez-vous rencontrer à cette réception? Whom are you going to meet at this reception?

direct object (thing): qu'est-ce que, or que + inverted verb

Qu'est-ce que tu veux faire ce soir? What do you want to do this evening?
Que préparez-vous? What are you preparing?

prepositional object (person): preposition + qui + est-ce que, or preposition + qui + inversion

À qui pensez-vous? Who are you thinking about?
De qui est-ce que vous parlez? Who are you talking about?

prepositional object (thing): preposition + quoi + est-ce que, or preposition + quoi + inversion

Avec quoi l'avez-vous ouvert? What did you open it with?)
En quoi est-ce que ça te regarde? In what way does that concern you?)

Quel and Lequel

The adjective quel (and its other forms quelle, quels, quelles) is used to mean what or which. When the noun is left out, the pronoun form lequel (laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles) is used, meaning which one. Quel and lequel can be used with est-ce que or with inversion:

Quel film voulez-vous voir?

What film do you want to see?

Quelle date as-tu choisie?

Which date did you choose?

Voici deux pizzas. Laquelle est-ce que vous préférez?

Here are two pizzas. Which one do you prefer?

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