This French 3 lesson explains dont relative pronoun step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on dont relative pronoun and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: Dont is the French relative pronoun that replaces de plus a noun. Use it after verbs and expressions followed by de, such as parler de or avoir besoin de, to express whose, of which or of whom, and in ce dont when no noun comes before it. Dont is followed by a subject and a verb.
Level: French 3 (high school, ACTFL Intermediate Low) · Standards: ACTFL Intermediate Low, WL 1.1 Interpersonal, WL 1.2 Interpretive, WL 1.3 Presentational
Dont relative pronoun: the lesson
What does dont mean and when is it used?
Dont is a relative pronoun that already contains the word de. It appears whenever the clause that follows contains a verb or expression that needs de. In English you translate it as of which, of whom, about which or whose, but often the best English version simply drops it.
Definition
Dont = de + the noun it replaces. J’ai besoin de ce livre. becomes Le livre dont j’ai besoin est à la bibliothèque. — The book I need is at the library.
Which verbs and expressions call for dont?
| With de | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| parler de | to talk about | Le projet dont Mia parle est génial. |
| avoir besoin de | to need | Le matériel dont nous avons besoin coûte 40 €. |
| rêver de | to dream of | Le voyage dont Kofi rêve passe par Tahiti. |
| se souvenir de | to remember | La chanson dont je me souviens parle de la mer. |
| se servir de | to use | L’appli dont elle se sert est gratuite. |
| être fier de | to be proud of | Le prix dont Anaïs est fière est en or. |
Rule
Word order: antécédent + dont + sujet + verbe. Do not repeat de after the verb.
How does dont express possession?
Dont also means whose. It is followed by the definite article and the noun owned, then the verb: J’ai une voisine dont le chien aboie toute la nuit. — I have a neighbor whose dog barks all night. Dont can also mean among them: Cinq élèves, dont Yanis, partent à Dakar.
What is ce dont?
When no noun comes before the pronoun, French uses ce dont, meaning what or the thing that. Je comprends ce dont tu parles. — I understand what you are talking about. C’est tout ce dont nous rêvons. — That is everything we dream of. It also follows tout, rien and quelque chose.
Common mistake
English speakers move the preposition to the end: the book I talked about. Never write le livre que j’ai parlé de. Say le livre dont j’ai parlé. For whose, never add a possessive: un ami dont le père, not dont son père.
Culture note
Le Petit Prince, published in 1943 by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is among the most translated books in the world. It is a classic example of un livre dont tout le monde se souvient.
Zoé’s tip
Turn the clause back into a full sentence. If you find de hiding there (je parle de…, la mère de…), the pronoun is dont.
Key points to remember
- Dont = de + antecedent: le livre dont j’ai besoin (I need de ce livre).
- Dont also means whose: un ami dont le père est médecin.
- After dont, put the subject and verb; never repeat de or a possessive adjective.
- Ce dont is used when there is no noun before it: ce dont tu rêves.
- English puts the preposition at the end (the book I need); French moves it to dont.
Dont: Of Which, Of Whom, Whose: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between que and dont?
Que replaces a direct object with no preposition. Dont replaces de plus a noun. Compare le livre que j’ai acheté with le livre dont j’ai besoin, because avoir besoin takes de.
Can dont mean whose in French?
Yes. Dont plus the article and noun shows possession: une amie dont la mère est chef. Never add a possessive adjective after dont.
What does ce dont mean?
Ce dont means what or the thing of which. It is used when there is no noun before the pronoun: ce dont j’ai besoin, tout ce dont elle rêve.
Is the word order after dont like que?
Yes. Dont is followed by the subject and the verb: la ville dont je rêve. With possession the noun owned comes before the verb: un garçon dont le frère joue.
Can I use dont after a verb that takes à?
No. Verbs with à, such as penser à, use other pronouns like à qui or auquel. Dont is only for de.