LEÇON 1 / Beginner
INTERROGATIVES
Interrogatives are words used to ask questions. These words help you to zero in on the information you need.
1. How to ask questions with a yes/no answer.
It is very easy to ask a question in French. Simply put the phrase“est-ce que” in front of a statement.
EXAMPLES
Est-ce que tu aimes le chocolat?
–Oui.
Do you like chocolate?
–Yes!
Est-ce qu’ils vendent des croissants?
–Non.
Do they sell croissants?
–No.
2. How to seek information with interrogative expressions.
Interrogative expressions are found before “est-ce que” in a question.
Here are the most common interrogative expressions:
EXAMPLES
Où est-ce que tu habites?
Where do you live?
Quand est-ce que vous travaillez?
When do you work?
Pourquoi est-ce qu’ils rougissent?
Why do they blush?
Combien d’heures est-ce que tu travailles?
How many hours do you work?
Comment est-ce qu’elle lave le crocodile?
How does she wash the crocodile?
3. How to say “who,” “whom,” and “what.”
When the subject is a person, use Qui est-ce qui?
EXAMPLE
Qui est-ce qui entre dans la classe?
–Marie entre dans la classe.
Who enters the class?
–Mary enters the class.
When the subject is a thing, use Qu’est-ce qui?
EXAMPLE
Qu’est-ce qui passe à la télévision ce soir?
– American Idol.
What’s on TV tonight?
–American idol.
When the object is a person, use Qui est-ce que?
EXAMPLE
Qui est-ce que tu aimes?
–J’aime le professeur de français.
Whom do you like?
–I like the French teacher.
When the object is a thing, use Qu’est-ce que?
EXAMPLE
Qu’est-ce que vous préparez?
–Nous préparons le dîner.
What are you preparing?
–We are preparing dinner.