Question 1

Why do we use que in this sentence instead of qui?

Accepted Answer

In French, we use que when the relative pronoun is the direct object of the action. Here, que represents the pearls (les perles), and "we" (nous) are the ones doing the using. Because the pearls are the thing being used, they are the direct object. If the pearls were doing the action (like "the pearls that are on the table"), we would use the subject pronoun qui.

Question 2

Why is it beaucoup de perles and not beaucoup des perles, since "pearls" is plural?

Accepted Answer

After expressions of quantity like beaucoup (a lot), un peu (a little), or trop (too much or too many), you almost always use the simple preposition de (or d'). You don't use the plural article des, even if the noun that follows is plural!

Question 3

Why is the verb utiliser not conjugated?

Accepted Answer

Because it comes directly after another verb that is already conjugated! pouvons is the conjugated "we" form of pouvoir (can / to be able to). When you have two verbs back-to-back expressing a single idea, the second verb stays in its infinitive form (the dictionary form ending in -er, -ir, or -re).

Question 4

How do I know whether to use ce, cet, or cette for "this"?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the gender and starting letter of the noun. bracelet is masculine and starts with a consonant, so we use ce. You would use cette for a feminine noun, and cet for a masculine noun that starts with a vowel or a silent h (like cet homme).

Il y a beaucoup de perles que nous pouvons utiliser pour ce bracelet.

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