When do you use the verb-subject inversion?

Tobias N.A1Kwiziq community member

When do you use the verb-subject inversion?

Hi, I learned the Est-ce que was a formal way of asking a question. So I thought the verb then would also need an inversion, like: Est-ce que avez-vous une voiture?

When do you use the verb inversion? (I heard actually the inversion is almost not used anymore in normal day France)

This question relates to:French lesson "Asking yes/no questions in French with intonation, est-ce que, n'est-ce pas (French Questions)"

Asked 4 years ago

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Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Est-ce que is a more formal way of asking than simple intonation, but the most formal way to word a question is inversion. You cannot combine est-ce que with inversion.

Vous avez une voiture? -- (simple intonation)
Est-ce que vous avez une voiture? -- (est-ce que, more formal, no inversion)
Avez-vous une voiture? -- (most formal, inverted form)

Like04 years ago

Tobias N. asked:View original