Question

Complétez par un pronom relatif simple ou composé : Les jeunes ___________ habitent dans ce quartier sont étudiants.

Hint:

Do not confuse qui and que:
• Use qui when the relative pronoun is the subject of the following verb (usually followed directly by a verb: qui + verb).
• Use que when the relative pronoun is the direct object (usually followed by a subject pronoun or noun: que + subject).

Answer 1

Step 1: Determining the Syntactic Function of the Pronoun:
We analyze the subordinate clause “___________ habitent dans ce quartier”. The verb is habitent (plural), but it lacks an explicit subject. Therefore, the relative pronoun must act as the Subject of the verb.

Step 2: Selecting the Pronoun:
The simple relative pronoun that functions as a subject is always qui (who/which), regardless of whether the antecedent is human or inanimate, singular or plural.
• Antecedent: Les jeunes (plural humans) $\rightarrow$ Subject relative pronoun is qui.

Step 3: Verification:
Placing qui gives: Les jeunes qui habitent dans ce quartier sont étudiants. (The young people who live in this neighborhood are students).
Final Answer: qui