Inversion is described as 'the more formal way' and also as 'the more elegant way'. Please clarify.

StewartC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Inversion is described as 'the more formal way' and also as 'the more elegant way'. Please clarify.

Asked 6 years ago
ChrisC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer
In French, like in all languages, there are different ways to say the same thing, depending on the setting in which you find yourself. For example, when talking to your brother you would say, "Hi, what's up, bro! It's awesome you came to visit me!" To express the same intention but toward the President of the US, you would formulate it differently: "Good morning, Mr. President" I am certainly delighted you could come and visit me!"

The same holds true in French. Usually, the inverted form of formulating a question is considered more formal:

Comment vous-appelez-vous? -- What is your name? (formal register)
Tu t'appelles comment? -- What is your name? (familar register)

Here is a more in-depth link to an article discussing registers in the French language: https://www.lawlessfrench.com/linguistics/register/

-- Chris (not a native speaker).
StewartC1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks Chris, I had thought of 'elegant' and 'formal' as being quite different in meaning but I now see, in this context, that they have a similar meaning.

Inversion is described as 'the more formal way' and also as 'the more elegant way'. Please clarify.

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!