Rapporter une Question (Reporting Questions)

Learning ObjectivesLearn how to change direct questions into indirect questions.Use 'si' (if/whether) [see] for yes/no questions.Keep question words (like 'où' (where) [oo], 'quand' (when) [kahn], 'pourquoi' (why) [poor-KWAH]...) for open-ended questions.Master verb tense agreement when the main verb is in the past.Picture this: your friend texts you an important question about a school project. 📱 Another friend, who can't see your phone, asks what they wrote. How do you report the question exactly? That's what we're going to learn how to do! 🗣️Real-World UsesTelling someone about a conversation you had.Summarizing an interview you read or heard.Writing a narrative or story by reporting dialogue.

To report a question, we use verbs like 'demander' (to ask) [duh-mahn-DAY] or 'vouloir savoir' (to want to know) [voo-LWAR sah-VWAR], followed by specific words that introduce the indirect question.French TermWhat it DoesExample (Indirect Speech)demander (to ask) [duh-mahn-DAY]The most common verb to introduce a reported question.Il demande où tu vas. (He asks where you are going.) [eel duh-MAHND oo too vah]vouloir savoir (to want to know) [voo-LWAR sah-VWAR]An alternative to 'demander' (to ask) [duh-mahn-DAY] that expresses curiosity.Elle veut savoir si tu as fini. (She wants to know if you have finished.) [ell vuh sah-VWAR see too ah fee-NEE]si (if/whether) [see]Used to introduce a closed (yes/no) question. It replaces 'est-ce que' (is it that) [ess-kuh].Je demande si le match de hockey...

1. Reporting a Closed (Yes/No) QuestionRule: Use the introductory verb (like demander (to ask) [duh-mahn-DAY]) + si (if/whether) [see] + the rest of the sentence in normal statement order (subject + verb). You don't keep 'est-ce que' (is it that) [ess-kuh] or the subject-verb inversion.Direct Question: « Est-ce que tu viens au cinéma? » (Are you coming to the movies?) [ess-kuh too vyen oh see-nay-MAH]Indirect Question: Il demande si tu viens au cinéma. (He asks if you are coming to the movies.) [eel duh-MAHND see too vyen oh see-nay-MAH]2. Reporting an Open-Ended Question (with a question word)Rule: Use the introductory verb + the question word (like 'où' (where) [oo], 'quand' (when) [kahn], 'comment' (how) [koh-MAHN], 'pourquoi' (why) [poor-KWAH], 'qui' (who) [kee], etc.) + the rest of th...