Compound relative pronouns are usually used after a preposition. (to, of, on, under, in, etc.). They repeat the subject of the sentence or the object of the sentence in order to introduce another action concerning it. They are often used after prepositions of place. (on, under, in, near, etc.)
Example:
C’est le restaurant à côté duquel j’habite.
This is the restaurant next to which I live.
(next to is formed with the preposition “de” and restaurant is masculine singular, the compound relative pronoun therefore becomes “duquel”)
The compound relative pronouns are:
Masculin: Lequel
Masculin et pluriel: Lesquels
Féminin: laquelle
Féminin et pluriel: lesquelles
Example:
Le film dans lequel tu joues est très bon. The film in which you play is very good.
La salade dans laquelle le chef met des tomates est très bonne. The salad in which the chef puts tomatoes is very good.
Compound relative pronouns change with the prepositions “à” and “de”
With “a”
Masculin: auquel
Masculin et pluriel: auxquels
Féminin: à laquelle
Féminin et pluriel: auxquelles
Example:
La personne à laquelle je pense est grande. (je pense à). The person I’m thinking of is great. (I think about)
With “de”
Masculin: duquel
Masculin et pluriel: desquels
Féminin: de laquelle
Féminin et pluriel: desquelles
Example:
Le restaurant en face duquel j’habite est fermé. (en face de). The restaurant across from which I live is closed. (in front of)
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