When you’re starting to learn French, you realize that there are words that you need to keep in mind because they’re essential to your day-to-day grammar. Quoique is a word that helps introduce a subordinate clause that has important information about that clause. There are similar conjunctions but, right now, we’ll explain how to use quoique correctly.
How to Use Quoique Correctly?
First, let’s see what this word means. Quoique is a conjunction that indicates the concession it can be translated to although, or still. It can also be used to indicate a reservation relating to a qualifier. Sometimes it can also be used to introduce an objection after a reflective time.
But, here’s the kicker, there are two ways of using this word because you can actually use it as two words.
Quoi que is an indefinite relative pronoun that is used just like the first option mentioned above, it helps us indicate a concession.
When to use quoique as just one word?
As we mentioned, this is a subordinating conjunction that has to always be used before a pronoun and a subjunctive verb. It can also be employed followed by a participle passé or even an adjective.
To avoid mistakes, there is a way you can see if you can use quoique as just one word or if you’d have to use it as two. If quoique can be replaced by bien que and the sentence still makes sense and the meaning doesn’t change, you can use it as one word, but if not, you’d have to replace it with quoi que.
Ces différences, quoique légèrement atténuées, persisteront jusqu’en 2050.
These differences, although slightly attenuated, will persist until 2050.
Le phénomène est identique quoique moinsimportant pour l’oreille gauche.
The phenomenon is identical although less important for the left ear.
Je n’ai pas envie de sortir quoique mon copain m’ait invité au cinemá.
I don’t want to go out even though my boyfriend invited me to the movies.
How to use quoi que as two words?
This is used as a pronominal phrase that can be translated to, “whatever the thing is” or “no matter what“. So, when you want to give this meaning to the sentence, you’d have to use quoi que as two words.
Je te soutiens, quoi que tu décides.
I support you whatever you decide.
Roger, quoi que tu aies en tête, ne le fais pas.
Roger, whatever you have in mind, don’t do it.
Vous pouvez écrire quoi que vous voulez.
You can write whatever you want.
You’re ready to use either the conjunction or the pronoun to get your point across
As we come to the end of this lesson, we hope that you can now use either the pronoun “quoi que” or the conjunction “quoique” as a great tool to express yourself. These are essential words in the French language so, having them on hand should be really useful on a day-to-day basis. Remember that practice makes perfect, so go out, and practice with your family and friends to put your knowledge to the test.
Learn more about The Ne Explétif: A Must-Have for Any French Learner