Auquel, duquel : retrouver le lien
1 · Keep the preposition required by the verb
The verb phrase supplies à. The noun supplies gender and number.
Elle participe à ce projet. → Le projet auquel elle participe commence lundi.She is taking part in this project. → The project she is taking part in begins on Monday.
Nous répondons à ces questions. → Les questions auxquelles nous répondons sont précises.We are answering these questions. → The questions we are answering are precise.
2 · Feminine singular stays in two words
Use à laquelle, with the grave accent on à. Plural feminine contracts to auxquelles.
La question à laquelle je réponds concerne le budget.The question I am answering concerns the budget.
3 · A simple de complement commonly uses dont
Start from parler de. The everyday relative here is dont.
Je parle de ce film. → Le film dont je parle est italien.I am talking about this film. → The film I am talking about is Italian.
4 · Keep the whole complex preposition
In au sujet de, près de and à côté de, the final de belongs to a longer expression. Use the appropriate lequel form after it.
Le film au sujet duquel nous discutons dure deux heures.The film we are discussing is two hours long.
Le parc près duquel nous habitons ferme à vingt heures.The park near which we live closes at eight o’clock.
La salle à côté de laquelle se trouve le bureau est fermée.The room next to which the office is located is closed.
5 · With a person, à qui is often natural
You can keep à and use qui for a person. The noun’s meaning and its role in the relative clause guide the choice.
La personne à qui je réponds organise la rencontre.The person I am replying to is organising the meeting.