Formal question phrases
In discussions, essays and oral exams you ask more precisely than with pourquoi or comment. These phrases usually come with inversion.
Phrases and their meaning
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| en quoi | in what way |
| dans quelle mesure | to what extent |
| pour quelle raison | for what reason |
| comment se fait-il que | how come, how is it that |
En quoi cela vous concerne-t-il ?
In what way does this concern you?
Dans quelle mesure ces résultats sont-ils fiables ?
To what extent are these results reliable?
Pour quelle raison a-t-il refusé ?
For what reason did he refuse?
Comment se fait-il que personne ne m'ait prévenu ?
How come nobody warned me?
After comment se fait-il que the subjonctif is usually used: Comment se fait-il qu'il soit déjà parti ?
Indirect questions with a preposition
When the verb needs a preposition, it stays directly in front of quoi or qui in the indirect question. English moves the preposition to the end (what he is thinking about, who you are leaving with); French never does. The subject comes before the verb, as in a statement.
Je me demande à quoi il pense.
I wonder what he is thinking about.
À quoi pense-t-il ?
Elle ignore de quoi nous parlons.
She doesn't know what we are talking about.
De quoi parlons-nous ?
Dis-moi avec qui tu pars.
Tell me who you are leaving with.
Avec qui pars-tu ?
Question word + infinitive
When it is clear who acts, the question word is followed by an infinitive, just like in English (I don't know what to do). English what becomes quoi here.
Je ne sais pas quoi faire.
I don't know what to do.
Dis-moi où aller.
Tell me where to go.
Elle cherche comment répondre.
She is trying to work out how to answer.
