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Where are the French speakers?

Dancer6978Dancer6978 member
in International Bumpies
*Not baby related*

I am desperately trying to understand the difference between "il est" and "c'est" (and their respective plurals). I have Googled, believe me, but I still don't get it.  Can anyone dumb it down (like, REALLY dumb it down) for me, without using grammar jargon? I need simple examples too.  Thanks so much!
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Re: Where are the French speakers?

  • TeacherVickyTeacherVicky member
    edited January 2014
    "Il est" - you are referring to a person or a thing (third person in the singular form; "elle" is also used). Plural form: Ils sont or elles sont.

    "C'est" - you are referring to a thing or place or event, etc. Used in a more demonstrative form. Plural form: Ce sont.

    Examples:

    Il est très fatigué. Ils sont très fatigués.
    Il est allé au cinéma. Ils sont allés au cinéma.
    Il est occupé à préparer le souper. Ils sont très occupés à préparer le souper.
    Marc s'est acheté une nouvelle voiture. Elle est de la couleur rouge. (elle: referring to the car)

    C'est l'heure d'aller se coucher. 
    C'est un sapin de Noël. Ce sont des sapins de Noël.
    C'est la veille du jour de l'an.
    Another plural example since I've given less here: Ce sont des exemples de phrases.

    HTH

    Edited to clarify and add examples.
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  • MissfromqcMissfromqc member
    Teacher Vicky explained it really well ;)
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  • TXswissmissTXswissmiss member
    @dancer6978 the above explanation is rather incomplete. This site explains well with lots of examples and even practice you can do to understand. I used it a lot when teaching (French) in the states.

    https://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/pro3.html
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  • TeacherVickyTeacherVicky member
    TXswissmiss said:
    @dancer6978 the above explanation is rather incomplete. This site explains well with lots of examples and even practice you can do to understand. I used it a lot when teaching (French) in the states. https://www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/gr/pro3.html
    LOL - she asked for a simple explanation and simple examples. So I gave her a simple explanation with simple examples, from a francophone's perspective.
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