A1 French GrammarQuestions
Form questions in French using intonation, est-ce que, inversion, and question words like qui, que, où, quand, pourquoi.
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1Yes/No Questions
French has three ways to form yes/no questions: rising intonation, est-ce que, and inversion.
Three Question Forms
| Method | Question | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Intonation | Tu parles français? | informal |
| Est-ce que | Est-ce que tu parles français? | neutral |
| Inversion | Parles-tu français? | formal |
Examples
Tu viens ce soir?
Are you coming tonight?
intonation only
Est-ce que vous avez l'heure?
Do you have the time?
est-ce que
Avez-vous des questions?
Do you have any questions?
formal inversion
Est-ce qu'il fait beau?
Is the weather nice?
est-ce qu' before vowel
2Question Words
French question words ask for specific information: qui (who), que/quoi (what), où (where), quand (when), pourquoi (why), comment (how).
Question Words
| French | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| qui | who | Qui est-ce? |
| que/quoi | what | Que fais-tu? |
| où | where | Où habites-tu? |
| quand | when | Quand arrives-tu? |
| pourquoi | why | Pourquoi? |
| comment | how | Comment ça va? |
Examples
Qui est cette personne?
Who is this person?
qui = who
Où est la gare?
Where is the train station?
où = where
Pourquoi tu pleures?
Why are you crying?
pourquoi = why
Comment tu t'appelles?
What's your name?
comment = how
3Quel/Quelle (Which/What)
Quel agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: quel, quelle, quels, quelles.
Quel Forms
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | quel | quels |
| Feminine | quelle | quelles |
Examples
Quel est ton nom?
What is your name?
quel + masculine
Quelle heure est-il?
What time is it?
quelle + feminine
Quels films aimes-tu?
Which films do you like?
quels + masculine plural
Quelles sont tes couleurs préférées?
What are your favorite colors?
quelles + feminine plural
4Combien (How much/many)
Combien asks about quantity or price. Use 'combien de' before nouns.
Combien Usage
| Structure | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Combien? | Ça coûte combien? | How much does it cost? |
| Combien de + noun | Combien de frères? | How many brothers? |
| Combien de temps? | Combien de temps? | How long? |
Examples
Combien ça coûte?
How much does it cost?
price question
Tu as combien de frères?
How many brothers do you have?
combien de + noun
Combien de temps faut-il?
How long does it take?
time question
Combien de personnes viennent?
How many people are coming?
quantity question
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
How do you ask 'Do you speak French?' using est-ce que?
Which question word means 'where' in French?
Complete: '___ est votre nom?' (What is your name?)
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