New
New
Inversion questions
I can ask questions using subject-verb inversion.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 7
Inversion questions
I can ask questions using subject-verb inversion.
Lesson details
Vocabulary and transcripts for this lessons
Key learning points
- 'Je prends', 'tu prends', 'il, elle prend' are the singular forms of the -re verb 'prendre', to take, taking.
- The same verb endings can be applied to the -re verbs 'apprendre', to learn, and 'comprendre', to understand.
- 'Je dis', 'tu dis' and 'il, elle dit' are the singular forms of the -re verb 'dire', to say, saying.
- Like intonation questions, an inversion question is another way to ask a question in French.
- To form French yes/no or closed inversion questions, swap the subject pronoun and verb, inserting a hyphen in-between.
Keywords
Dire - French -re verb meaning to say, to tell
Prendre - French -re verb meaning to take, taking
Inversion question - when the subject pronoun and the verb switch place to form a question
Common misconception
A closed question requires 'do/does' or 'am/are/is' at the start in French, like in English.
Closed questions in French do not start with 'do/does' or 'am/are/is', they simply invert the subject and the verb: tu es anglaise, es-tu anglaise ?
Once pupils have practised the speaking task (C3b), ask for volunteers to perform their conversations at the front of the class; this can build pupils' confidence in speaking French and public speaking kills.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the French and the English.
Match the French and the English.
Q2.Match the adjectives
Match the adjectives
Q3.Choose the correct meaning.
Choose the correct meaning.

prendre
dire
comprendre
Q4.Choose the correct meaning.
Choose the correct meaning.

prendre
apprendre
comprendre
Q5.Add the correct verb ending: Je prend_
Add the correct verb ending: Je prend_
Q6.Add the correct verb ending: il di_
Add the correct verb ending: il di_
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Choose the correct translation: Nous sommes jeunes, sages et heureux.
Choose the correct translation: Nous sommes jeunes, sages et heureux.
You are young, short and happy.
We are young, short and happy.
I am young, well-behaved and happy.
They are young, well-behaved and sad.
Q2.Match the French and the English.
Match the French and the English.
Q3.Translate into French: He says hello.
Translate into French: He says hello.
Q4.Translate into French: I understand the question.
Translate into French: I understand the question.
Q5.How do you form an inversion question?
How do you form an inversion question?
Raising your voice at the end of a sentence.
Inverting the subject and the verb.
Removing the pronoun.
Inverting subject and the object.
Q6.Change this statement into an inversion question: tu aimes le sport.
Change this statement into an inversion question: tu aimes le sport.