IL EST - Specifics
Unmodified noun
- Il est avocat.
- Elle est actrice.
C'EST - Specifics
vs
Modified noun
- C'est un avocat.
- C'est une bonne actrice.
Adjective (person)
Adjective (situation or thing)
- Il est fort, cet homme. vs - C'est bizarre, ce livre.
- Elle est intelligente.
- C'est normal !
Unmodified Adverb
- Il est tard.
- Elles sont ici.
vs
Prepositional phrase
- Il est à la banque.
Modified Adverb
- C'est trop tard.
- Ce sont très loin.
Proper name - C'est Luc.
Stressed pronoun - C'est moi.
Il est - French Expression
C'est vs Il est | C'est | Il est
Despite their similar meanings, the expressions c'est and il est are not interchangeable - there
are rules for using each one.
Il est becomes elle est, ils sont, or elles sont, as appropriate depending on the gender and
number of the noun that it is replacing or modifying.
Il est can be followed by a(n)
I.
Unmodified* noun of profession, religion, or nationality (*no article, adjective, or other
modifier)
Voici mon frère - il est médecin.
Il est catholique.
II.
Adjective, usually referring to a person
Tu as parlé au prof ? Est-il intelligent ?
Cette fille, elle est très gentille.
III.
You talked to the teacher? Is he smart?
This girl (she) is very kind.
Impersonal expressions - As an impersonal expression, il est is used in the following
construction:
il est + adj + de/à + infinitive.
Il est impossible à décider.
Il est facile de jouer au tennis.
IV.
This is my brother - he's a doctor.
He's a Catholic.
Prepositional phrase
It's impossible to decide.
It's easy to play tennis (playing tennis is easy).
Où est Luc ? Il est à la banque.
Nos voisins, ils sont d'Irelande.
V.
Where is Luc? He's at the bank.
Our neighbors (they) are from Ireland.
Adverb
Quelle heure est-il ? Il est tard.
Où est Jean ? Il est ici.
What time is it? It's late.
Where is Jean? He's here.
C'est - French Expression
C'est vs Il est | C'est | Il est
Despite their similar meanings, the expressions c'est and il est are not interchangeable - there
are rules for using each one.
C'est becomes ce sont when followed by a plural noun. In spoken French, though, c'est is often
used anyway.
C'est is used with
I.
Modified nouns (article and/or adjective + noun)
Tu vois cet homme-là ? C'est mon père.
C'est la vie !
C'est une très bonne idée.
C'est une vraie histoire.
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 !
C'est complètement fou !
III.
Have you seen this movie?
It's incredible!
That's utterly insane!
Impersonal expressions - Impersonal expressions with c'est are in the following
construction:
c'est + adj + de/à + infinitive.
C'est important de faire les devoirs.
C'est difficile à décider.
IV.
You see that man? That's my father.
That's life!
It's a very good idea.
It's a true story.
It's important to do your homework.
It's hard to decide.
Names
Qui est-ce ? C'est Luc.
Who is it/that? It's Luc.
C'est Pierre qui a menti.
V.
Pierre is the one who lied.
Stressed pronouns (accent tonique)
C'est moi qui t'ai dit la verité.
C'est nous qui avons décidé.
VI.
I'm the one who told you the truth.
We're the ones who decided.
Modified adverbs
C'est trop tard.
C'est par ici.
C'est très loin.
It's too late.
It's over here.
It's very far.
C'est vs Il est
The French expressions c'est and il est are extremely important impersonal expressions. They
can mean things like this is, that is, it is, they are, and even he / she is.
Paris ? C'est magnifique !
Paris? It's magnificent!
Il est facile d'apprendre le français.
It's easy to learn French.
C'est une fille sympa, Lise.
Lise? She's a nice girl.
Où est Paul ? Il est en retard.
Where's Paul? He's late.
C'est and il est are the root forms, used for impersonal expressions and general comments: It's
interesting, It's nice, It's fortunate, It's too bad, etc.
When talking about specific people, things, or ideas, c'est and il est may change. C'est becomes
ce sont when followed by a plural noun. In spoken French, though, c'est is often used anyway. Il
est becomes elle est, ils sont, or elles sont, as appropriate depending on the gender and
number of the noun that it is replacing or modifying.
Ce sont des Français ? Non, Italiens.
Are they French? No, Italian.
Voici Alice - elle est professeur.
This is Alice - she's a teacher.
Despite their similar meanings, the expressions c'est and il est are not interchangeable - there
are rules for using each one. The following table summarizes the different things that can be used
after each of them. Click the links in the red box below for detailed information about each of
these uses of c'est and il est.
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