French Indirect Questions
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.intro_desc
Often introduced by statements like:
Word Order in Indirect Questions
Unlike direct questions where you might invert the subject and verb, an indirect question uses standard main clause word order.
Exception:
The verb and subject only switch places if the subject is a noun (not a pronoun) AND there is no object.
Yes/No Questions
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.yesno_desc
Elision with "il/ils"
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.yesno_elision_desc
Punctuation
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.punct_desc
Changing Tense and Pronouns
Because indirect questions are a form of reported speech, you must apply the same rules for changing pronouns and tenses according to the introductory verb.
Changing Pronouns
"As-tu vu mon parapluie ?"
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.tense_pron_indirect
Present tense intro verb (Il demande)
The tense remains unchanged.
Past tense intro verb (Il a demandé)
Grammar_SentenceStructure_IndirectQuestions.tense_past_desc
Présent Imparfait
Passé composé Plus-que-parfait
Futur Conditionnel
Practice Indirect Questions
Master the art of embedding questions in French through targeted interactive drills.