Contracted relative pronouns (auquel / duquel)

Contracting Lequel with À

Just as the preposition à combines with definite articles (à + le = au), it also contracts with the relative pronoun lequel.

SingularPlural
Masculineauquelauxquels
Feminineà laquelleauxquelles

Notice that the feminine singular form (à laquelle) does not contract.

You will need these forms when describing a noun using verbs that require à, such as participer à (to participate in) or assister à (to attend).

The convention you are participating in is very interesting.
Le congrès auquel tu participes est très intéressant.
The conference we attended was canceled by the director.
La conférence à laquelle nous avons assisté a été annulée par le directeur.
to be interested in
s'intéresser à
These are the seminars the student is interested in.
Ce sont les séminaires auxquels l'étudiant s'intéresse.

Contracting Lequel with De

Similarly, when lequel follows the preposition de (of, from), the words contract.

SingularPlural
Masculineduqueldesquels
Femininede laquelledesquelles

Again, the feminine singular form (de laquelle) remains two separate words.

You will frequently use these forms with prepositional phrases ending in de, such as à la fin de (at the end of), au milieu de (in the middle of), près de (near), or à cause de (because of).

It is the gala at the end of which we danced.
C'est le gala à la fin duquel nous avons dansé.
It is the speech because of which he left.
C'est le discours à cause duquel il est parti.
Here are the conferences in the middle of which the king slept.
Voici les conférences au milieu desquelles le roi a dormi.