C'est - French Expression
C'est vs Il est | C'est | Il est | Test: C'est vs Il est
Despite their similar meanings, the expressions c'est and il est are not interchangeable - there are rules for using each one.
Note: When followed by a plural noun, c'est is supposed to become ce sont, but in spoken French c'est is often used.
| C'est is used with |
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| I. | Modified nouns (article and/or adjective + noun) | |
| Tu vois cet homme-là ? C'est mon père. | You see that man? That's my father. | |
| C'est la vie ! | That's life! | |
| C'est une très bonne idée. | It's a very good idea. | |
| C'est une vraie histoire. |
It's a true story. | |
| II. | Adjectives that describe the general situation or something already mentioned or implied in the conversation | |
| - Tu as vu ce film ? - Oui, c'est incroyable ! |
- Have you seen this movie? - Yes, it's incredible! |
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| C'est complètement fou ! |
That's utterly insane! | |
| III. | Impersonal expressions -In impersonal expressions, c'est is less formal than il est. | |
| C'est important à faire. | It's important to do. | |
| C'est difficile à comprendre. |
It's hard to understand. | |
| IV. | Names | |
| Qui est-ce ? C'est Luc. | Who is it/that? It's Luc. | |
| C'est Pierre qui a menti. |
Pierre is the one who lied. | |
| V. | Stressed pronouns (accent tonique) - note that the verb conjugates to the pronoun, not c'est (learn more) | |
| C'est moi qui t'ai dit la verité. | I'm the one who told you the truth. | |
| C'est nous qui avons décidé. |
We're the ones who decided. | |
| VI. | Modified adverbs | |
| C'est trop tard. | It's too late. | |
| C'est par ici. | It's over here. | |
| C'est très loin. | It's very far. | |
| C'est vs Il est
Il est Test
Demonstrative adjectives (ce, cet, cette, ces) |
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