| 11.3.2.1 Qui is only seldom substituted by lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles ersetzt |
If you want to keep it simple then go with the rule: lequel, laquelle, lesquels, lesquelles cannot be subject of the subordinate clause.
However, things are a bit more complicated, you can have it. In French (as actually also in English) we can separate the restrictive and non-restrictive relative clauses. What now is a restrictive relative clause? It is a relative clause that defines the referred object (also defining relative clause).
| Examples |
| The man who has a black beard and a big hat is my father. |
| The table that stands over there in the corner is a nice dining table. |
Without the definition we would not know who or what actually is meant.
In opposition to restrictiver there are non-restrictive (or also descriptive) relative clauses, which give only additional information about an already defined thing or person. The sentence would be perfectly understandable also without this additional information.
| Examples |
| My father, who wears pink shorts and a big hat in this photo, has an aweful taste in fashion. |
| The author of the latest bestseller novel, who is gaining millions and millions nowadays, used to be poor. |
| The little round table in the corner, which I like very much, is one I got from my grandparents. |
Now, coming back to French relative clauses and substitution of qui:
Lequel can only substitute qui as a subject in a non-restriktive (descriptive) relative clause.
In restrictive relative clauses, qui cannot be substituted.
| contact privacy statement imprint |
