In French, to make formal questions, we usually invert the verb and its subject (je, tu, nous, vous, ils, elles). See Forming inverted questions in Le Présent (except il, elle, on forms).
However, this method is not as straightforward when the subject is il, elle or on.
Look at these examples:
Va-t-il à Paris?
Is he going to Paris?
Parle-t-elle anglais?
Does she speak English?
Mange-t-on bientôt?
Are we eating soon?
Y a-t-il un problème ? - Oui, il y a un problème.
Is there a problem? - Yes, there is a problem.
Notice that when the verb ends with a vowel (often the case with il/elle/on), then a t must be inserted in-between the verb and il/elle/on with hyphens : -t- .
ATTENTION:
When the verb already ends in a 't' or 'd', you don't need to insert the extra 't' because it's already present (the 'd' is pronounced [t] in these cases):
The same rules apply in questions starting with a question word (que, qui, où, ...):
Que cherche-t-elle ?
What is she looking for?
Où va-t-on ce soir?
Where are we going tonight?
Combien de bouteilles veut-il ?
How many bottles does he want?
See also:
Questions with qui, que, quoi, quand, où, comment, pourquoi, combien
Questions: Que ... = What ... ?
and
Forming inverted questions with names, things and emphasis
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Y a-t-il un problème ? - Oui, il y a un problème.
Is there a problem? - Yes, there is a problem.
Réussit-il ses études?
Is he doing well at school?
Combien de bouteilles veut-il ?
How many bottles does he want?
Quand prend-il sa douche?
When does he have his shower?
Que cherche-t-elle ?
What is she looking for?
Prend-on le train ou le bus?
Do we take the train or the bus?
Parle-t-elle anglais?
Does she speak English?
Va-t-il à Paris?
Is he going to Paris?
Mange-t-on bientôt?
Are we eating soon?
Où va-t-on ce soir?
Where are we going tonight?
Q&A
Jennifer
Kwiziq community member
27/11/16
Lewis
Kwiziq community member
17 November 2017
2 replies
Achète-t-il des pâtes? Just to be sure, the translation could be equally, "Does he buy pasta?" and "Is he buying pasta?", is that correct?
Chris
Kwiziq community member
18 November 2017
18/11/17
Yes, both translations would be correct. The choice depends on context.
-- Chris. (not a native speaker).
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
19 November 2017
19/11/17
Bonjour Lewis !
You can also look at our related lessons:
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/le-present-usage-where-present-continuous-is-used-in-english-ongoing-current-actions
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/le-present-usage-where-present-tense-is-used-in-english-current-actions-habits-situations
Bonne journée !