Interrogative Sentences in French: Your Easy Guide to Asking Questions

Interrogative sentences in French (La phrase interrogative) are sentences through which you can request information or ask questions. Luckily, French gives you several straightforward ways to ask, from casual to very formal.

Let’s dive into the three main methods you’ll use every day!

The 3 Key Ways to Ask Questions in French

French offers flexibility when you want to get answers. Here are the core structures, from simplest to most formal:

• Intonation Questions: Just raise your voice!
• Est-ce que Questions: The versatile, all-purpose way.
• Inversion Questions: For a more formal touch. (verb and subject switch places)

Here’s a quick look at each:

• Intonation: Tu es prêt à commencer la leçon ? (Are you ready to start the lesson?)
• Est-ce que: Est-ce que tu parles français ? (Do you speak French?)
• Inversion: Veut-elle courir ? (Does she want to run?)

Method 1: Questions with Intonation (The Easiest Way!)

This is your go-to for informal chats and everyday situations. It’s incredibly simple: take a regular statement and just raise your voice at the end, just like in English.

• Structure: Subject + Verb + Complement (?)
• Usage: Most common in spoken French, especially with friends and family.

Examples:

• Tu veux boire quelque chose ? (You want to drink something?)
• Ils aiment le foot ? (They like football?)
• Il est bien ? (He’s okay?)

Method 2: Est-ce que (The Versatile All-Rounder)

The est-ce que is grammatically correct, always clear, and works in most situations – neutral, neither too formal nor too informal.

• Structure: Est-ce que + Subject + Verb + Complement (?)
• Usage: Perfect for almost any context where you need to ask a direct question.

Examples:

• Est-ce que tu veux boire quelque chose ? (Do you want to drink something?)
• Est-ce qu‘il est bien ? (Is he okay?)
  
  • 💡 Grammar Note: Remember est-ce que becomes est-ce qu’ before a vowel or silent ‘h’! (e.g., Est-ce qu’elle mange ? / Est-ce qu’il habite ici ?)
• Est-ce que nous allons rester ? (Are we staying?)

Adding Question Words with Est-ce que

When you need more specific information (“who,” “where,” “when”), just place the question word before est-ce que.

• Structure: Question Word + est-ce que + Subject + Verb + Complement (?)

Examples:

• Où est-ce que tu as acheté ce gâteau ? (Where did you buy this cake?)
• Avec qui est-ce qu’elle va venir ? (Who is she going to come with?)
• De quoi est-ce que vous parlez ? (What are you talking about?)

Method 3: Inversion (The Formal & Elegant Way)

Inversion means flipping the subject and verb. It’s considered more formal and is often used in written French or polite spoken situations.

• Structure: Verb + Hyphen (-) + Subject + Complement (?)
• Usage: Common in formal speech, official settings, and written texts.

Examples:

• Veut-il venir demain ? (Does he want to come tomorrow?)
• Serons-nous les directeurs ? (Will we be the directors?)
• Parlez-vous français ? (Do you speak French?)

French Question Words (Interrogative Pronouns/Adverbs)

These words are your tools for getting precise information. They typically start the question.