Formality of questions

Anne D.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Formality of questions

Just a quick question. Is qu’est-ce que + noun always more formal? I found it a bit confusing that

a. the last two examples of it in Section 3 have no further mention of register and

b. in Sections 1 and 3 the examples go from less to more elegant, whereas in 2 it’s the other way round.

Do realise this is an A0 lesson, but the concepts behind it are quite challenging.

This question relates to:French lesson "Qu'est-ce que c'est... and Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça/cela ? = What is... / What's that? in French"

Asked 5 months ago

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

The inverted form of asking questions is always more formal. Since qu'est-ce que + [noun]? is inverted, it sounds more formal.

Like15 months ago

clare k.C1Kwiziq community member

Can you say “ C’est quoi une baguette?

Like03 months ago

clare k.C1Kwiziq community member

Can you say “ C’est quoi une baguette?

Like03 months ago

Anne D. asked:View original

Formality of questions

Just a quick question. Is qu’est-ce que + noun always more formal? I found it a bit confusing that

a. the last two examples of it in Section 3 have no further mention of register and

b. in Sections 1 and 3 the examples go from less to more elegant, whereas in 2 it’s the other way round.

Do realise this is an A0 lesson, but the concepts behind it are quite challenging.

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