Dont vs De Qui/Duquel
Is "Rien ne montre mieux le caractère d'un homme que ce dont il rit." the same with "Rien ne montre mieux le caractère d'un homme que duquel il rit."?

I find the first sentence kinda redundant, but it's said that "dont" is more often used?

Question

Dont vs De Qui/Duquel
Is "Rien ne montre mieux le caractère d'un homme que ce dont il rit." the same with "Rien ne montre mieux le caractère d'un homme que duquel il rit."?

I find the first sentence kinda redundant, but it's said that "dont" is more often used?

Answer

You've got to use the first one. I don't know the general rule, but here you can't use "duquel" because there is no particular referent.
"Nothing shows a man's character better than what he laughs with" (i'm not sure about that english sentence, but you'll know what i mean)
'What he laughs with' is something general, so you have to say "ce dont". 
'Duquel' has to refer to something that has already been mentioned. 
I hope this is a bit clear?

Answers · 1

Still haven’t found your answers?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn a language from the comfort of your own home. Browse our selection of experienced language tutors and enroll in your first lesson now!