Dialogue
C’est…qui in French: say who did it
Practise c’est…qui through a family conversation about languages. Compare the person who acts with the person affected, then check your answers.
- B1
- 8 lines
- Practice mode
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In short
C’est…qui highlights the subject: Ma mère m’a appris le wolof becomes C’est ma mère qui m’a appris le wolof. The focused person performs the action. Keep qui even before a vowel: C’est Lina qui organise la rencontre.
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A family story: correct the person
Nora asks Sami about the languages in his family. Play Sami’s part using the English cues, then compare your answer with his. Each reply puts the person who performed the action in focus.
- Nora
C’est ton père qui t’a appris le wolof ?
English
Was it your father who taught you Wolof?
- Sami
Non, c’est ma mère qui m’a appris le wolof.
Correct her: your mother taught you Wolof.
English
No, it was my mother who taught me Wolof.
- Nora
Et qui parlait français avec toi ?
English
And who spoke French with you?
- Sami
C’est mon père qui parlait français avec moi.
Say that your father spoke French with you.
English
It was my father who spoke French with me.
- Nora
Ta sœur t’a aidé à préparer ton récit ?
English
Did your sister help you prepare your account?
- Sami
Oui, c’est elle qui m’a aidé à choisir les mots.
Confirm: she helped you choose the words.
English
Yes, she was the one who helped me choose the words.
- Nora
Et pour la présentation de demain, qui commence ?
English
And for tomorrow’s presentation, who starts?
- Sami
C’est Lina qui commence. Ensuite, je prends la parole.
Say that Lina starts and you speak next.
English
Lina starts. Then I take over.
How does c’est… qui agree with the verb?
C’est Nora qui appelle Lina.It is Nora who is calling Lina.
Focus: Nora makes the call
Nora appelle Lina.
Nora is calling Lina.
C’est Nora que Lina appelle.It is Nora whom Lina is calling.
Focus: Lina makes the call; Nora receives it
Lina appelle Nora.
Lina is calling Nora.
Both examples focus a person. Choose qui when that person is the subject; choose que when the person is the direct object. After subject qui, skip a repeated il or elle: C’est Lina qui commence. The name already supplies the subject through qui.
Ce sont les échanges qui nous aident à progresser.
It is the exchanges that help us improve.
A thing or an activity can be the subject. Here nous is the object of aident; the plural subject is les échanges.
Use ce sont with a plural noun phrase in edited French. The verb after qui agrees with that subject: les échanges qui aident. For moi, toi, nous and vous, the agreement page in the related links gives a separate drill.