T here are 4 different ways to ask a question. They are very close to English. So if you know English, it's easier to get to know these things. We haven't learn any verbs yet except "to be." But they can be used in sentences with other verbs.

I. Intonation
The simplest way to ask question is to use rising intonation with a declarative statement. I guess we do it in English.
[EX]
Il est brun? (rise intonation at the end)

II. Inversion
Same as English, when you ask questions, we switch the subject and the verb in French. But there are two diffetnces. First, we have to put a hyphen between the subject and the verb. Second, the inversion works for other verbs. In English, the inversion only works for sentence with "to be" verbs. But it works for all of verbs in French.
[EX]
Est-il brun?
Sont-ils professeur?

III. Est-ce que
It is the most common way to ask questions. You just add Est-ce que in the begining of the sentence. Notice that que become qu' before a vowel.
[EX]
Est-ce que tu est fran�ais?
Est-ce qu'il est blond?

IV. N'est-ce pas
Put n'est-ce pas in the end of the sentence. However meaning of this case is little different. It is not quite as other three ways. It is translated to "isn't it?," or "don't you." Yes, it is like confirmation.
[EX]
Il est fran�ais, n'est-ce pas?
Elles sont malades, n'est-ce pas?


T his is the end of Section 1. Do you understand all materials I covered? If you think you know better way to teach French, let meknow. I am glad to hear about it. Also I put some review questions for you. If you want to try those quizes, click here.

[Previous Chapter] [Go Back French Page] [Next Chapter]