Language/French/Grammar/Interrogation
In this lesson, you will learn how to form questions in French using interrogative words and inversion. You will also learn how to properly intonate a sentence to express a question.
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Simple arithmetic (le calcul) & Conjugation group 3.
Interrogative Words
Interrogative words are words used to ask open-ended questions using who, what, when, where, why, and how. It is important to note that in French, the interrogative word must always come at the beginning of the sentence.
Here are some commonly used interrogative words and their English counterparts:
French | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Qui | kee | Who |
Quoi | kwah | What |
Quand | kahn | When |
Où | oo | Where |
Pourquoi | poor-kwah | Why |
Comment | kohm-ahn | How |
Here are some examples:
- Qui est ton ami? (Who is your friend?)
- Qu'est-ce que tu aimes faire? (What do you like to do?)
- Quand est ton anniversaire? (When is your birthday?)
- Où habites-tu? (Where do you live?)
- Pourquoi est-ce que tu pleures? (Why are you crying?)
- Comment vas-tu? (How are you?)
Inversion
Inversion is a grammatical structure used to ask closed-ended questions, which can be answered with a simple yes or no. In French, the verb and the subject pronoun switch places and are separated by a hyphen. It is important to note that inversion is only used in formal settings and in writing.
Here are some examples:
- Parlez-vous français? (Do you speak French?)
- Aime-t-il le chocolat? (Does he like chocolate?)
- Sont-elles prêtes? (Are they ready?)
It is important to note that when using inversion with a verb that ends with a vowel, a "t" is added between the verb and subject pronoun. For example:
- Est-ce que vous avez mangé? becomes Avez-vous mangé?
Intonation
Intonation is the rise and fall of the pitch in a sentence. In French, when asking a question, the pitch should rise at the end of the sentence. This lets the listener know that a question is being asked.
For example:
- Tu m'aimes? (Do you love me?) - Note that the pitch rises at the end of the sentence
Exercises
Translate the following sentences to French:
- What time is it?
- Where do you live?
- Do you know where my keys are?
- Why are you sad?
- Who are your friends?
Answer key:
- Quelle heure est-il?
- Où habites-tu?
- Savez-vous où sont mes clés?
- Pourquoi es-tu triste?
- Qui sont tes amis?
Sources
Videos
French in Real Life: 5 French INTERROGATIVE Words / How to ask ...
Other Lessons
- Passé Composé
- ensuite VS puis
- Indirect and Direct Transitive Verbs
- Omission of the article in set phrases and verbal constructions
- Meaning of alors
- Futur Proche
- Subjunctive versus indicative in clauses dependent on a superlative adjective
- Choice of some time adverbs relative to the moment of speaking
- me, te, se, nous, vous as part of certain verbs but with no specific meaning