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This document discusses the differences between using "il est" and "c'est" in French. It explains that "il est" is followed by an adjective, while "c'est" is followed by a noun. Some exceptions are noted, such as using "c'est" with adjectives to describe a situation. The key rule is that if there is a noun after the verb, "c'est" should be used, while "il est" takes an adjective. Examples are provided to illustrate the proper usage of "il est" versus "c'est" based on whether the following word is a noun or adjective.

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51 views

Untitled Document

This document discusses the differences between using "il est" and "c'est" in French. It explains that "il est" is followed by an adjective, while "c'est" is followed by a noun. Some exceptions are noted, such as using "c'est" with adjectives to describe a situation. The key rule is that if there is a noun after the verb, "c'est" should be used, while "il est" takes an adjective. Examples are provided to illustrate the proper usage of "il est" versus "c'est" based on whether the following word is a noun or adjective.

Uploaded by

blackpetal1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1 – Il Est Versus C’est – Summary

You cannot always translate “he is” by “il est” and “it is” by “c’est”.

Both “il est” and “c’est” can translate as “it is” and “he is”. And that’s why it’s so
complicated!

A – “Il Est”(Elle Est, Ils/Elles Sont) Is Followed By An Adjective.


Il est gentil. Elle est française. Ils sont américains. Elles sont très grandes.

He/it is nice. She/it is French. They are Americans. They are very tall.

1. Remember that in French ​things have a gender​. Everything is a “il” or a “elle”.


2. Nouns of nationality etc… can be used as adjectives in French.
3. Adverbs (like “très”) don’t count.

B – “C’est” Is Followed By A Noun.


C’est une amie. C’est un chien. C’est mon cousin. C’est une grande fille. C’est Camille!

She is a friend. It is a dog. He’s my cousin. She’s a tall girl. That’s Camille!

1. Before the noun, there could be an article or even an adjective ​that comes before
the noun​.
2. The plural of “c’est” is “ce sont” but we don’t use it much in spoken French.

C- Il Est + Noun Is Sometimes Possible


“Il est” + noun is sometimes (not always though) possible. However it tends to no longer
be used, and sounds quite old-fashioned now.

I never use it personally unless I say “il était une fois”: once upon a time.

So I suggest you don’t either!

D – C’est + Adjective Always Masculine Singular Is Very Common.


C’est bon, c’est chaud, c’est beau​…

They could translate as “this is good, hot, pretty” but are often translated as “it’s good,
hot, pretty” since that’s what you’d say in everyday English (Hence students thinking
“c’est = it is” in English).

1. C’est + adjective is only used to describe a thing, never a person.


In that case, in theory, you don’t describe something in particular, but its
surrounding: the whole situation.
2. The adjective is ALWAYS masculine singular.
“C’est belle” is not possible in French, even if you are talking about something
feminine
3. The use of “c’est + adj masculine singular” is getting increasingly popular in
France: we use it all the time!

==========================

So, now that you are totally confused, let’s dig into this big French mess…

2 – It Is + Place, It Is + Time And Other Expressions


First, let’s define the purpose of this lesson. This lesson is about translating “he/she/it is”
+ noun or adjective. That’s what’s tricky in French.

“Il est” is also used in French to express location, ​tell the time​, and in the expression “il
était une fois” – once upon a time…

1. Où est le livre ? Il est sur la table.


Where is the book? It’s on the table.
2. Quelle heure est-il ? Il est onze heures.
What time is-it? It’s eleven.
3. Il était une fois un roi et une reine qui vivaient heureux dans un beau château.
Once upon a time there were a king and a queen who lived happily in a beautiful
castle.

C’est is also used with questions, dates, adverbs, stress pronouns…

1. C’est qui ? C’est quand ? C’est quoi ?


Who is it ? When is it? What is it? (informal way of saying “qui est-ce”, “quand
est-ce”, “qu’est-ce que c’est”… More about ​asking questions in French)​
2. C’est quand ton anniversaire ? C’est le 16 novembre.
When is your birthday? It’s on November 16th.
3. C’est trop loin
It’s too far away.
4. C’est moi !
It’s me!

Now, let’s talk about the problem at hand. How to translate “it/ he/ she is” + noun or
adjective in French.

First, let’s see what you do in English.

3 – He / She / It Is / They Are In English


In English, you say s/he is a friend, s/he is intelligent. So you use:

● he / she / it is + noun (a friend, a dog…)

as well as:

● he / she / it is + adjective (intelligent).


In English, what matters is whether you are describing a feminine, masculine, or neutral
being. Then you use “he / she / it” or even “they” and the appropriate verb form of “to
be”. And that’s that.

Easy enough!

4 – He / She / It Is In French = C’est, Ce Sont, Il / Elle Est, Ils /


Elles Sont
Well, in French, we use 2 different constructions.

1. Il/elle est + adjective qualificative (plural ils/elles sont)


Il est grand, elle est blonde, ils sont amusants.
He/it is tall, she is blond, they are funny.
See my ​audio lesson on French adjectives​ to master their agreements and
pronunciation.
2. C’est + (article, adjective possessive or demonstrative…) + NOUN
C’est un ami, c’est mon mari, c’est cette voiture, ce sont mes cousins​ (or c’est
mes cousins… should be “ce sont +plural” – but we use c’est + plural a lot in
spoken French although it’s a mistake…).
He is a friend, he’s my husband, it’s this car, they are my cousins.

So what counts in French is not the “it, she, he or they” but the fact that what follows the
verb is a NOUN or an ADJECTIVE. Grammar decides which construction you need to
use!

The Rule Of Thumbs Is: Do You Have A Noun? If So, Use “C’est”.
Study the grammatical constructions of the sentences below (the nouns are in bold):
compare the French use of “il est” versus “c’est” to the English translation.

1. Le Père Noël: c’est un ​homme​ gentil. Il est très gros. Il est incroyablement
généreux. C’est un ​personnage​ magique.
Santa: he is a kind man. He is very big. He’s incredibly generous. He’s a magical
being.
2. Les Jackson 5: Ils sont célèbres. Ce sont des ​chanteurs.​ Ils sont mignons et
talentueux.
The Jackson 5: they are famous. They are singers. They are cute and talented.
3. Ma maison: c’est une maison de ville. Elle n’est pas très grande. Elle est
confortable. C’est une maison agréable.
My house: it’s a “town” house. It’s not big. It’s comfortable. It’s a nice house.
4.

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