Could I technically ask Qu'est-ce qu'il y a la distance entre Paris et Lyon? Would that make sense considering "il y a" can be used in questions.
Use of Il y a in a question
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Use of Il y a in a question
![](/files/shared/_avatar-mids/user/57/cecile-5-600x600_64026bc4b69bb.png)
Hi Tayla,
What you suggest doesn't make any sense in French if you want to say -
What is there between Paris and Lyon? = Qu'est-ce qu'il y a entre Paris et Lyon ?
May I suggest you take a look at the following lesson -
Quel/quels/quelle/quelles ? = Which/what? (French Question Words)
Hope this helps!
Salut Tayla,
Your query reads "Is there a distance between Paris and Lyon?" this would need to be expressed as "Quelle est la distance entre Paris et Lyon?"
An example, using il y a
"Est-ce qu'il y a un restaurant près d'ici?" --> "Is there a restaurant near here?"
Further information on usage in the following link:-
https://www.lawlessfrench.com/expressions/il-y-a/
Hope this helps.
Bonne continuation.
Jim
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level