Où or Vous?

Question

When do you begin a sentence with où versus vous (or tu)? What’s the point of it being written both ways? Is one more common than the other?

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Jasmine,
The reason for "où" being at the beginning or at the end of the a question is that in French, you can ask question in a formal manner as well as an informal manner:
Tu habites où ? / Vous habitez où ? = Where do you live? (Literally: You live where?)
-> Informal way of asking a question
Où habites-tu/habitez-vous ? = Where do you live?
-> inverted question / formal way of asking a question
 
Take a look at the lessons below:
Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - regular forms (except il/elle/on forms)
Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - il/elle/on forms
Asking questions in French with "qui/que/quoi/quand/où/comment/pourquoi/combien" (French Question Words)
Inverted questions in the present tense (Le Présent) in French - with names/things/emphasis

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Jasmine Cunningham · Answer

Merci beaucoup! That makes sense.

Jasmine Cunningham · Answer

Merci beaucoup! That makes sense.