Is "ça" never used instead of "ce" in this context? If not, why not? Is it simply idiomatic?
"Tout ce qui/que"
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Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
"Tout ce qui/que"
This question relates to:French lesson "Tout ce qui/Tout ce que = All/everything that (French Relative Pronouns)"
Asked 4 years ago
Marie F. Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Hi Harry,
My understanding is that ça is a short form of cela, the demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific object or idea. It can't be used in the formulation ce que or ce qui. As I understand it, the difference in usage works as in the following sentences:
• Elle aime tout ce qui brille. = She likes everything that shines.
• Elle aime tout ça, qui brille. = She likes all of that, which shines / which is shining.
In the second sentence, tout ça refers to some specified object(s) or idea(s).
I hope this helps :)
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