Questions With 'est-ce que' — French Grammar

is a fixed formula used to turn a statement into a question. While it literally translates to is it that, it functions grammatically like the English auxiliary verbs do or does. It signals that a question is coming without requiring a change in the word order of the sentence.

Yes/No Questions

To ask a question that requires a "yes" or "no" answer, place at the very beginning of a standard sentence. The subject and verb follow in their normal order (Subject + Verb).

Est-ce que tu parles français ?
Do you speak French?
Est-ce que nous allons au cinéma ?
Are we going to the cinema?
Est-ce que vous avez faim ?
Are you hungry?

Contraction Before Vowels

When the subject following begins with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u, y) or a silent 'h', the final must change to . This contraction is mandatory to maintain the flow of pronunciation.

Est-ce qu'il aime le chocolat ?
Does he like chocolate?
Est-ce qu'elle habite ici ?
Does she live here?
Est-ce qu'on peut entrer ?
Can we come in?

Questions with Interrogative Words

You can combine with question words to ask for specific information. The structure places the question word first, followed by , and then the rest of the sentence. Common question words include (where), (when), (why), (how), and (who).

Structure: Question Word + + Subject + Verb

Où est-ce que tu vas ?
Where are you going?
Quand est-ce que le train arrive ?
When does the train arrive?
Pourquoi est-ce qu'ils sont en retard ?
Why are they late?
Comment est-ce que tu as fait ça ?
How did you do that?

Asking "What"

To ask "what" is happening or "what" is being done, French uses the specific phrase . This is formed by combining the question word (what) with . Because ends in a vowel and starts with one, the first part always contracts to .

Qu'est-ce que tu fais ?
What are you doing?
Qu'est-ce que vous voulez ?
What do you want?
Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
What is it?

Level of Formality

French offers three main ways to ask questions, and sits in the middle of the formality scale. It is considered standard French.

Informal (Intonation): Simply raising the pitch of the voice at the end of a sentence (). This is common in casual speech.
Standard (Est-ce que): Using the marker (). This is appropriate for most daily interactions, standard writing, and speaking with people you do not know well.
Formal (Inversion): Swapping the verb and subject (). This is reserved for formal writing or very polite speech.

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