In everyday French, the most common form of questions relies on changes in intonation. This type of question uses the same basic structure as a normal sentence (be it affirmative or negative), with rising intonation added to the final syllable of the final word. This type of question depends on sound so, in written form, all that is needed is to replace the period at the end of the sentence with a question mark. This form of question is considered informal.

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The above questions are closed-ended questions, requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. If any question words are needed, they are typically added at the end of the question, though many question words can be found either at the beginning or the ending of questions. Rising intonation is still required.

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The question word ‘que’ is not used with this type of question, rather, ‘quoi’ is used. The question word ‘quoi’ is always used at the end of the question.

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If used as the grammatical subject of the sentence, the question word ‘qui’ must go at the beginning of the question.

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Another way to ask a question is to use a tag question at the end of a statement. This is similar to English’s “…, don’t they?” or “…, are they?”. In French, tag questions consist of a set phrase that doesn’t depend on the rest of the sentence’s verbs or tenses. They are placed after the rest of the sentence. The choice of expression depends on purpose (i.e. the communicative goal of the question), rather than on any grammatical aspects. The final syllable in the tag question often has rising intonation. As most tag questions involve the speaker anticipating responses from their interlocutor, they can also be used in a condescending or authoritative manner, with a non-rising intonation, as rising intonation would show uncertainty/insecurity.

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These tag questions all anticipate ‘yes’ or ‘no’ responses, with possible elaborations afterwards.

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Another way to ask a question is to place ‘est-ce que’ in front of a standard sentence (be it affirmative or negative). With this type of question, a speaker’s intonation falls at the end of the sentence. This type of question can be appropriate for informal, and up to somewhat-formal contexts.

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If used with the subject pronouns beginning with vowels (il, elle, on, ils, elles), contraction occurs.

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The above questions are closed-ended, requiring a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. When combined with question words to create open-ended questions, ‘est-ce que’ follows the question word and precedes the rest of the sentence.

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The question word ‘quoi’ is not used with this type of question, rather, ‘que’ is used. With the word ‘que’, contraction occurs.

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The question word ‘qui’ is not used with ‘est-ce que’.

The choice of using ‘quel’ in a question is not related to formality. As an adjective, the word ‘quel’ changes to reflect the grammatical gender and grammatical number of its noun. It is placed in front of its noun, taking the place of the noun’s article. Although each of the four forms of ‘quel’ are written differently, their stand-alone pronunciation is the same.

The interrogative adjective ‘quel’ is used to ask or clarify about a choice between multiple types of the same item. This is typically translated into English with the word ‘which’, but can also be translated by other words, such as ‘what’. As this type of adjective is primarily used in questions, it is most often used together with other structures for asking questions.

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Depending on context, the interrogative adjective ‘quel’ can be used alone with a noun. This type of question is accompanied by rising intonation.

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Changes in pronunciation occur, due to liaison and enchaînement, between the forms of ‘quel’ and nouns beginning with a vowel or unaspirated ‘h’.

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The forms of ‘quel’ can be separated from its noun by the verb ‘être’ to form questions. Don’t forget to pay attention to the ‘quel’ form needed.

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The forms of ‘quel’ are also used with nouns to make exclamatory statements.

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