Language/French/Grammar/Question-formation-Introduction
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Forming questions in French is essential for effective communication. There are various ways to construct questions, each with its own rules and nuances. This lesson serves as an introduction to question formation in French.
1. Intonation[edit | edit source]
The simplest way to form a question in French is by raising your intonation at the end of a sentence.
- Example: Tu viens ? (You're coming?)
2. Est-ce que[edit | edit source]
Use "est-ce que" at the beginning of a sentence to make a question. It doesn't change the order of the subject and the verb.
- Example: Est-ce que tu viens ? (Are you coming?)
3. Inversion[edit | edit source]
Inverting the subject and the verb also turns a statement into a question. Note that you have to insert a hyphen between the inverted subject and verb.
- Example: Viens-tu ? (Are you coming?)
4. Question Words[edit | edit source]
Adding question words like "qui," "quoi," "où," "quand," etc., helps in asking specific questions.
- Example: Pourquoi viens-tu ? (Why are you coming?)
5. Negation in Questions[edit | edit source]
Negation can also be included in questions, usually surrounding the verb.
- Example: Ne viens-tu pas ? (Aren't you coming?)
6. Examples and Exercises[edit | edit source]
Examples[edit | edit source]
- Qu'est-ce que tu fais ? (What are you doing?)
- Où vas-tu ? (Where are you going?)
Exercises[edit | edit source]
- Exercise 1: Identify the type of question in each given sentence.
- Exercise 2: Formulate your own questions using each method described in this lesson.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Knowing how to form questions in French allows you to acquire information, clarify things, and interact more naturally with French speakers.