There are four principal ways to ask a question in French.<\/p>\n
The first and simplest way to ask a question when speaking is to make a statement but with rising intonation. In writing, simply put a question mark at the end. This method is considered informal.<\/strong><\/p>\n A second way is to place the phrase “Est-ce que…<\/strong>” directly before a statement. This turns it into a question. If the next word begins with a vowel sound, use “Est-ce qu’ <\/strong>“. Questions with “Est-ce que”<\/em> are somewhat formal.<\/strong><\/p>\n A third way is to end a statement with a tag question, such as “n’est-ce pas<\/strong>?” or “d’accord<\/strong>?”. This method can be formal or informal.<\/strong><\/p>\n A fourth way is to invert the order of the subject pronoun and the verb and place a hyphen between them. If the verb ends in a vowel and the subject pronoun begins with one (e.g., il<\/em>, elle<\/em>, or on<\/em>), insert “-t-<\/em>” between the verb and the pronoun to make pronunciation easier. Inversion is considered more formal.<\/strong><\/p>\n Expressing Negation<\/p>\n To make a sentence negative in French, place “ne<\/strong>” (n’<\/strong> before a vowel sound) before the conjugated verb nd “pas<\/strong>” after it. In the construction [conjugated verb + infinitive] “ne<\/strong>” (n’<\/strong>) comes before the conjugated verb and “pas<\/strong>” after it.<\/p>\n In questions with inversion place “ne<\/strong>” before the inversion and “pas<\/strong>” after it.<\/p>\n Use “si<\/strong>” instead of “oui<\/strong>” to contradict a negative question.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are four principal ways to ask a question in French. The first and simplest way to ask a question when speaking is to make a statement but with rising intonation. In writing, simply put a question mark at the end. This method is considered informal. Vous habitez \u00e0 Bellevue? (With an upward inflection) Tu … <\/p>\n\n
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