How to Ask Questions Using "Est-ce que" in French

Basic Structure for Asking Questions

In French, you can ask questions using the phrase "est-ce que."

This phrase is an easy way to change a statement into a question.

For example, if you want to ask if someone is a student, start with this statement:

• Tu es élève. (You are a student.)

Now, change it into a question:

• Est-ce que tu es élève ? (Are you a student?)

Using "Est-ce que" with Different Subjects

It’s important to use the right subject pronoun. Here’s a list:

• Je (I)
• Tu (You – informal)
• Il/Elle (He/She)
• Nous (We)
• Vous (You – formal or plural)
• Ils/Elles (They – masculine/feminine)

Here are some examples:

• Est-ce que je peux venir ? (Can I come?)
• Est-ce que vous aimez le chocolat ? (Do you like chocolate?)

Verb Conjugation in the Present Tense

When using "est-ce que," you also need to know how to change verbs in the present tense. Here’s how to change some common verbs.

1. -ER Verbs (for example: parler - to speak):

   • Je parle (I speak)
   • Tu parles (You speak)
   • Il/Elle parle (He/She speaks)
   • Nous parlons (We speak)
   • Vous parlez (You speak)
   • Ils/Elles parlent (They speak)

2. -IR Verbs (for example: finir - to finish):

   • Je finis (I finish)
   • Tu finis (You finish)
   • Il/Elle finit (He/She finishes)
   • Nous finissons (We finish)
   • Vous finissez (You finish)
   • Ils/Elles finissent (They finish)

3. -RE Verbs (for example: vendre - to sell):

   • Je vends (I sell)
   • Tu vends (You sell)
   • Il/Elle vend (He/She sells)
   • Nous vendons (We sell)
   • Vous vendez (You sell)
   • Ils/Elles vendent (They sell)

Articles and Gender Agreement

When making questions, remember to use definite and indefinite articles like le, la, l', un, une.

• Definite articles point to something specific:

  • Le livre (the book)
  • La pomme (the apple)

• Indefinite articles refer to one among many:

  • Un livre (a book)
  • Une pomme (an apple)

Examples of Questions with Articles

• Est-ce que tu as le livre ? (Do you have the book?)
• Est-ce que c'est une bonne idée ? (Is it a good idea?)

Negative Questions

To ask negative questions, add ne...pas.

Example:

• Est-ce que tu n’aimes pas les légumes ? (Don't you like vegetables?)

Using Demonstrative Adjectives

When you want to point out something in your questions, use demonstrative adjectives like ce, cet, cette, ces.

Examples:

• Est-ce que c’est ce film que tu veux voir ? (Is it this movie you want to watch?)
• Est-ce que ces pommes sont fraîches ? (Are these apples fresh?)

Possessive Adjectives

You can also use possessive adjectives (like mon, ma, mes, ton, ta, tes) in your questions.

Example:

• Est-ce que tu as mon crayon ? (Do you have my pencil?)

Summary

Using "est-ce que" is a great way to ask questions in French.

Make sure to think about verb changes, articles, subject pronouns, and agreement of adjectives.

With practice, you’ll become more confident in forming these questions in different situations!