Yes/No questions through verb-subject inversion
Yes/No questions through verb-subject inversion
Can form and answer yes/no questions
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Schwätzs du Franséisch?
Do you speak French?
Ass dat richteg?
Is that correct?
Bass du net midd? — Dach!
Aren't you tired? — Yes, I am!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Jo/Nee-Froen ginn duerch Inversioun geformt — d'Verb kënnt un d'éischt Plaz:
| Aussso | Fro |
|---|---|
| Du schwätz Lëtzebuergesch. | Schwätz du Lëtzebuergesch? |
| Hien ass Dokter. | Ass hien Dokter? |
| Dir hutt Zäit. | Hutt Dir Zäit? |
D'Äntwert: Jo (yes) oder Nee (no). Nom negativen Verb: Dach! (doch, yes-indeed): Bass du net midd? — Dach!
Inversion is straightforward. The dach/doch concept (contradicting a negative) is new for English sp
Common Error Patterns
Not inverting verb and subject
Move the verb to first position: Du bass → Bass du?
Schwätzs du Franséisch?
Do you speak French?
Verb first, then subject — simple inversion to form a question.
Ass dat richteg?
Is that correct?
Ass (is) moves to first position. Dat = that.
Bass du net midd? — Dach!
Aren't you tired? — Yes, I am!
Dach contradicts a negative question — like German doch. English has no equivalent.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises