Qui doen't contract before a vowel

Lewis S.C1Kwiziq community member

Qui doen't contract before a vowel

Qu'est-ce que tu penses?

but,

Qui est-ce qui vient ce soir?

Just wondering why 'Qui', which ends in a vowel, wouldn't contract when the following word begins with a vowel, as does the example with 'Que'?

Asked 6 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Lewis,

 In answer to your question logically, it is probably to differentiate the meanings which would be lost if you could elide both vowels - 

Qu'est-ce -que ...? = What is ...?

Qui est-ce que ...? = Who is ...?

Hope this helps.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Only words ending in "e" contract. 
Alan G.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Mainly it's words ending in "e", but also "la" and "si".

The rules are explained here:

https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/glossary/contraction/l-elision-elision

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

But si does not contract if the following vowel is an "e". It only contracts in cases such as si+il = s'il or s+ils = s'ils.

If you want a more complete summary on elisions, you can check, e.g.,
here:https://www.lawlessfrench.com/pronunciation/elision/

Qui doen't contract before a vowel

Qu'est-ce que tu penses?

but,

Qui est-ce qui vient ce soir?

Just wondering why 'Qui', which ends in a vowel, wouldn't contract when the following word begins with a vowel, as does the example with 'Que'?

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