#49 : << Dont >>

Confusing stuffs for Lauren

Hello friends, it’s time. For those who have finally reached an intermediate level, I’m sure you’ve come across « dont ». At this point, you might want to be like Emily. But you’re here, so.. c’est parti!

Just a heads up, I'm not a professional teacher, but rather another learner. The information I share might not be entirely accurate.

---

« Dont » is not pronounced the same as “don’t” in English

I’m sure you remember that in many cases, the last letter is silent in French. This also applies here.

dont is pronounced like don.

Easy peasy right? First confusion done and dusted, on to the next!

What is « dont » ?

Have you ever come across something like this?

Image source and for your further reading

Most learners first learn the difference between « que » and « qui ». After that, they are introduced to « où », and finally, they encounter « dont ».

Initially, I considered writing an article comparing these four relative pronouns, but I found that many articles and YouTube videos by professional French teachers already cover this topic. I had a lesson with a French teacher yesterday where we briefly covered « dont », and I would like to share what I’ve understood about its usage.

I will not cover all the information regarding « dont » but only what I have understood so far. For more information please self-research or consult with professional teachers 🧑‍🏫

When to use « dont » ?

As I have mentioned earlier « dont » is one of the four relative pronouns like « que », « qui » and « où ». Meanwhile there are some times that we have to use « dont » instead of these three relative pronouns.

Verbs et prépositions

There are some verbs that needs prepositions like, « à », « de », « sur », « dans », « par » etc etc

A little side track, depending on which preposition you use the meanings change sometimes :

Above all, this time with « dont », we will only concentrate on the verbs that comes with a preposition « de ». D for dog, D for dont, D for de… easy to remember right?

Verbs with prepositions « de »

I found an excellent article where she listed many verbas that is accompanied with « de » : https://www.lawlessfrench.com/grammar/verbs-with-de/

Keep this handy when you are doing exercises!

Exercises

Did you open the link above that’s written by lawlessfrench? Let’s go!

1. Je passais beaucoup de temps sur réseaux sociaux, [que/ où / dont] je voyais des photos de chats.

2. Nous vivons dans une société [que/ où / dont] tout est très moderne est rapide.

   * « où » can be used to replace physical places but also a place like social media or society where situation in which something happens. A little new knowledge for you 🎁

3. J’ai acheté des choses [que/ qui / dont] j’ai besoin. [avoir besoin de]

4. J’ai fait des choses [que/ qui / dont] je suis fière. [être fière de]

5. Elles adorent le repas [que/ qui / dont] elles ont cuisiné.

6. Je suis une personne [que/ qui / dont] aime beaucoup le sport.

7. Le détail important [que/ qui / dont] je me rendais compte, c’est que les documents sont faux. [se rendre compte de]

---

How did you go? Also, did you like a little information about « où » that I gave you? If you like to have a go more exercises, check this website !

For more quizzes [que/qui/où/dont]