« Qu'est-ce qui » vs. « Qu'est-ce qu' » when followed by vowel

noka k.B1Kwiziq community member

« Qu'est-ce qui » vs. « Qu'est-ce qu' » when followed by vowel

Bonjour ! One of the A2 level exercises asks which would be the correct beginning for the phrase « [X] a changé entre nous ? » and I'm having a hard time figuring out why the only acceptable answer here is the one with the full « qui ». I thought in front of the vowels we were supposed to make an elision in order to ease the pronunciation. Could you please help? Merci !

Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Hi Noka,

Good point, but as I understand it there is no elision after qui otherwise it would lead to confusion between que and qui before a vowel.

There is further information here:- qui Je ne sais pas qui il cherche. (qu’il = que + il)

Reference: Lawless french

Hope this helps.

Jim

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Jim's right: except for some very few exceptions, the -i ending is never omitted before a vowel; only -e.

« Qu'est-ce qui » vs. « Qu'est-ce qu' » when followed by vowel

Bonjour ! One of the A2 level exercises asks which would be the correct beginning for the phrase « [X] a changé entre nous ? » and I'm having a hard time figuring out why the only acceptable answer here is the one with the full « qui ». I thought in front of the vowels we were supposed to make an elision in order to ease the pronunciation. Could you please help? Merci !

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