Doubt in sentence structure

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Doubt in sentence structure

Bonjour Madame,

In the sentence 'Paul et Hélène sont mes amis.'

The question for this would be-

1.Qui est tes amis?

OR

2.Qui sont tes amis?

Pls guide which one of the following is correct and what is the rule behind it ?

Asked 5 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Varsha, 

The correct question would be :

Qui sont tes amis?

the verb 'être' (to be) having to agree with 'amis' (friends) which is plural ...

Hope this helps!

CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Shrey,

Just as in English, it would be -

Qui sont tes amis? ---> Paul et Hélène sont mes amis

Who are your friends? Paul and Hélène are my friends

Qui va à l'école tous les jours? ----> John et Pauline vont à l'école tous les jours

Who goes to school every day? ----> John and Pauline go to school every day 

Hope this helps!

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Merci Madame
Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Bonjour Madame Cécile !

I would like to post a follow-up as I am facing a confusion-

A sentence is provided- John et Pauline vont à l’école tous les jours.

To form a question would we write-

Qui vont/va à l’école tous les jours ?                                                 

Does “qui” always require a verb in third person singular ?         

This was mentioned in the answer to the following question -

https://progress.lawlessfrench.com/questions/view/use-of-il-form

If so, then the answer to my original question should be-

Qui es ton ami ?

Merci encore pour votre aide continuel.

Bonne journée !

Shrey R.A1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Merci encore Madame !

Just to clarify my learning ->

If a teacher wants to say- Who is talking while I am teaching ?

Then, “qui” will be followed by a third person singular verb -> Qui bavarde pendant que j’enseigne ?

And, if my mother asks- Who are coming to attend your birthday party ?

Here also , “qui” requires a third person singular form as qui is the subject of the verb -> Qui vient assister à ta fête d’anniversaire ?

Doubt in sentence structure

Bonjour Madame,

In the sentence 'Paul et Hélène sont mes amis.'

The question for this would be-

1.Qui est tes amis?

OR

2.Qui sont tes amis?

Pls guide which one of the following is correct and what is the rule behind it ?

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