Il Faut vs Qui: A Grammatical Deep Dive

The Nuances of 'Il Faut' and 'Qui' in French

A keen observation from a correspondent in Marseille has brought to light a subtle syntactical point that is, I believe, of significant interest to our readership. In André Gide's 'Souvenirs de la cour d'assises', a sentence was noted that seemed to raise a question: "C'est ce qu'il apparaîtra peut-être encore un peu dans ces notes." The query is whether the construction 'qu'il apparaîtra' is indeed correct, or if it represents a typographical error. Let us endeavour to shed some light on this matter.

A Historical Perspective on the Confusion

It is important to first acknowledge that the confusion between 'qui' and 'qu'il' is not a recent phenomenon. In Middle French, the final 'l' of the pronoun 'il' often became silent, particularly when preceding a consonant. This phonetic elision led to both pronunciation and spelling errors, with 'qui' and 'qu'ils' being frequently interchanged. As Vaugelas himself noted in his esteemed 'Remarques', the correct phrasing should be 'quoi qu'il arrive' and not 'quoi qui arrive'. This point is illustrated by the work of the renowned playwright Corneille. In 'Polyeucte' (Act V, Scene 1), he initially wrote, "J'aurai fait mon devoir, quoi qui puisse arriver." However, after 1660, he revised this to the more grammatically sound "quoi qu'il puisse arriver." Yet, writers like La Bruyère, who perhaps paid less attention to such meticulous corrections, continued to employ the less precise form, as seen in his writing: "Vous avez la plus forte imagination qui soit possible de concevoir."

Modern Usage and Lingering Uncertainty

Even in contemporary French, the usage remains somewhat uncertain, with many writers still wavering between the personal form ('qui') and the impersonal form ('qu'il'). Reputable grammar guides offer numerous examples that highlight these uncertainties. However, it is not merely sufficient, as some grammarians suggest, to classify these sentences based on the verb employed. A crucial factor that must also be considered is whether the verb is followed by a complement. We shall explore how this detail directly influences the construction and the choice of the relative pronoun.

The Indispensable 'Il Faut'

Let us first set aside the specific case of the impersonal expression 'il faut'. This construction invariably requires the neutral subject 'il'. Examples include: "Faites ce qu'il faut" (Do what is necessary) and "Dites-moi ce qu'il faudra lui dire" (Tell me what will need to be said to him). The use of 'qui' in this particular context is often associated with popular speech. For instance, Anatole France, in 'Crainquebille' (p. 48), writes, "On y a tout ce qui vous faut" (One has there everything that you need). Similarly, E. Peisson, in 'Mer Baltique' (III, 2), states, "Voilà un profond fauteuil et une petite table d'acajou. C'est ce qui lui faut." It is worth noting that this 'qui' is likely a simplified reproduction of 'qu'i', where the final 'l' of the pronoun 'il' has been elided in pronunciation.

Distinguishing 'Qu'il Faille' and 'Qu'il Faut'

The core of the matter lies in understanding when to use the subjunctive form 'qu'il faille' versus the indicative form 'qu'il faut'. The choice hinges on the grammatical structure and the intended meaning of the sentence.

When to Use 'Qu'il Faille' (Subjunctive)

The subjunctive mood, 'qu'il faille', is employed when the sentence expresses a sense of possibility, when an action is open to discussion, when an event might be doubted, or when a necessary condition is not guaranteed to be met. In essence, the subjunctive is used when the action expressed by the main verb is probable, possible, but not certain.

Examples of 'Qu'il Faille':

• "Il est possible qu'il faille augmenter le temps de cuisson selon la puissance du four." (It is possible that the cooking time may need to be increased depending on the oven's power.)
• "Sa proposition est intéressante bien qu'il faille vérifier qu'elle est parfaitement honnête." (His proposal is interesting, although it must be verified that it is perfectly honest.)
• "Est-il nécessaire qu'il faille prendre autant de précautions pour rencontrer ce ministre ?" (Is it necessary for so many precautions to be taken to meet this minister?)
• "Il n'est pas rare qu'il faille se reconvertir après une si mauvaise expérience professionnelle." (It is not uncommon to have to retrain after such a bad professional experience.)
• "Mis à part le fait qu'il faille autant d'ingrédients, la recette est délicieuse." (Apart from the fact that so many ingredients are needed, the recipe is delicious.)
• "Es-tu certain qu'il faille respecter absolument notre heure d'arrivée ?" (Are you certain that we must absolutely respect our arrival time?)

When to Use 'Qu'il Faut' (Indicative)

The indicative mood, 'qu'il faut', is used when the sentence expresses an affirmation, a reality, or a certainty. It denotes something that is necessary or required without any doubt.

Examples of 'Qu'il Faut':

• "Je vais vous dire ce qu'il faut faire: cessez de lui parler." (I will tell you what needs to be done: stop talking to him.)
• "Tu penses qu'il faut réfléchir à un autre mode de financement, n'est-ce pas ?" (You think we need to consider another financing method, don't you?)
• "N'oublie pas qu'il faut acheter du lait pour les crêpes de ce soir." (Don't forget that you need to buy milk for tonight's pancakes.)
• "Vous avez là un aperçu de ce qu'il faut faire." (Here you have an overview of what needs to be done.)
• "La réponse est qu'il faut à tout prix l'empêcher de signer ce contrat." (The answer is that he must be prevented from signing this contract at all costs.)

The Verb 'Falloir' Conjugation

It is important to remember that 'falloir' is an impersonal verb in French. This means it is only conjugated in the third person singular.

Synonyms for 'Il Faut'

Understanding synonyms can further clarify the meaning and usage of 'il faut'.

• Synonyms: il convient de, il est nécessaire de, il y a lieu de, on doit.
• Literary synonym: il sied de.
• Other useful expressions: il est indispensable de (+ infinitive) / que (+ subjunctive), il est obligatoire de (+ infinitive) / que (+ subjunctive), il serait bon de (+ infinitive) / que (+ subjunctive), il est de (mon/ton/son/notre/votre/leur) devoir de (+ infinitive), il y a lieu de (+ infinitive), il convient de (+ infinitive), il sied de (+ infinitive), on doit (+ infinitive).

Conclusion: Mastering 'Il Faut' and 'Qui'

The distinction between 'il faut' and 'qui' often hinges on the subtle but critical use of the subjunctive versus the indicative mood. By understanding the historical context and the modern grammatical rules, particularly the role of certainty versus possibility, French learners and speakers can confidently navigate these common constructions. Remember, 'il faut' is a steadfast necessity, while 'qu'il faille' introduces an element of conditionality or doubt. Paying close attention to these nuances will undoubtedly elevate the precision and elegance of your French expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is 'qu'il apparaîtra' correct in Gide's sentence?
While the sentence "C'est ce qu'il apparaîtra peut-être encore un peu dans ces notes" might seem unusual to some, it is not necessarily incorrect. The use of 'qu'il apparaîtra' here implies a degree of certainty about what will appear, even with the qualifier 'peut-être' (perhaps). The choice between 'qu'il' and 'qui' can be complex and context-dependent, and historical usage sometimes differed from modern strict rules.

Q2: What is the difference between 'il faut' and 'qui'?
'Il faut' is an impersonal expression meaning 'it is necessary' or 'one must'. It always uses the verb 'falloir' in the third person singular. 'Qui' is a relative pronoun referring to a person or thing that performs an action. The confusion arises when 'qui' is used in constructions where 'il faut' might be expected, often in informal speech.

Q3: When should I use 'qu'il faille' versus 'qu'il faut'?
Use 'qu'il faut' when expressing a certainty or a definite necessity. Use 'qu'il faille' when expressing a possibility, doubt, or a condition that is not certain.

Q4: Can 'il faut' be replaced by other phrases?
Yes, 'il faut' has several synonyms, including 'il convient de', 'il est nécessaire de', 'il y a lieu de', and 'on doit'. These can often be used interchangeably, though some carry slightly different stylistic or formal connotations.

Q5: Is the confusion between 'qui' and 'qu'il' still common today?
Yes, the confusion persists, especially in spoken French and in less formal writing. However, for formal and precise written French, adhering to the grammatical rules regarding the subjunctive and indicative moods, and the correct use of relative pronouns, is recommended.

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