C’est Versus Il est: Which One To Use in French ?

Il est versus C'est in French

C’est and Il est both translate to It is in English, but they are used in different contexts in French. These two French expressions can be tricky because they are synonymous but not interchangeable. The choice between the two depends on context and grammar. Today’s post covers the rules for using C’est versus Il est and provides examples of sentences, along with two exercises to ensure that you have understood the grammar rule.

Table of contents

1-When to use C’est

2- When to use Il est

3- C’est and Il est interchangeable

4- Rule for Using C’est and Il est in the Same Sentence

5-Exercices

1-  When to use C’est

C'est is a contraction of "ce" (this/it) and "est" (is). It is used to introduce or identify a singular noun or a clause. It's often used to describe characteristics, qualities, or to point out things.

1.1-Followed by a noun

C'est un livre - It is a book

C’est is followed here by a noun. In this context you point something out.

C'est mon ami - He/She is my friend

1.2-Followed by an advective

C'est intéressant - It is interesting

They could translate as “this is interesting” but are often translated as “it’s interesting”. In spoken English you would rather say “it’s interesting” and not “this is interesting”

C’est is followed here by an adjective. C’est + adjective is only used to describe a thing but it is never used to describe a person.

C’est describes the general sense of an inanimate noun, something unspecific, an abstraction (situation, opinion, feeling)

C’est triste- it’s sad

C’est dommage - it’s a shame

 1.3- C’est and spoken French

In spoken French, nowadays to describe something, to give characteristics, C'est is much more used than Il est which is rather used in very formal French. For example : « Paris, c’est beau c’est grand » and not « Paris, il est beau, il est grand »

1.4-Common mistake with C’est

The adjective that follows is always masculine. Don’t make this common mistake any more: Paris c’est belle : Paris it’s beautiful. 

1.5-Followed by a proper noun

C’est Max - It’s Max

 We can use C'est followed by a proper noun when we want to introduce someone by their name.

1.6-Plural

The plural of C’est is Ce sont but we don’t use it much in spoken French.

Ce sont des chats noirs - These are black cats

 

 2-  When to use Il est

Il est in French

2.1-Describe characteristics

 Il est means He is or It is (referring to something masculine) in English. It's used to describe characteristics, states, or conditions. It is mainly followed by an adjective

Il est grand - He is tall

Il est malade - He is sick ( feminine gender : elle est malade)

2.2-To describe people or things

When you refer to a person or thing with an adjective.

 Il est intelligent - He is intelligent

2.3-To indicate the time

Il est trois heures - It is three o'clock

2.4- To express an impersonal statement

Il est is often used in impersonal statements, especially when expressing general or abstract ideas such as opinions, necessity, or feelings. These types of sentences are impersonal because they don’t refer to a specific subject (like "he" or "she"), but instead describe a general state or condition.

Il est important de manger sainement - It is important to eat healthily

Il est évident qu’il faut être à l’heure à une réunion - It is obvious that one must be on time for a meeting

Il est nécessaire de réserver si vous voulez avoir une place - It is necessary to make a reservation if you want to have a seat

Il est important de lire l’actualité chaque jour - It is important to read the news every day

 

There are some cases where you could switch to C’est if the sentence is more specific or if you're talking about something concrete.

More and more, C'est is used instead of Il est in an impersonal sentence to express a general statement. If you wish to express yourself in formal French, prefer Il est. If you want to express yourself in spoken French and in a more natural way, in this case, you should use C’est.

Il est nécessaire de réserver (It is necessary to make a reservation) = C’est nécessaire de réserver would still be correct

Il est important de bien comprendre les instructions ( It is important to understand the instructions well) = C’est nécéssaire de bien comprendre les instructions.

 

3 - Il est and c’est interchangeable  

With nouns that describe people (professions, nationalities, religions…), you can use C’est or Il est, but there’s a structural difference:

C’est un/e + noun (with or without an adjective)

Il / elle est (+ no article) + noun (which essentially acts like an adjective)

C’est un médecin - He is a doctor
Il est médecin - He is a doctor

C’est une étudiante-  She is a student
Elle est étudiante-  She is student

Ce sont des Français – They are French
Ils sont français - They are French

  

4 - Rule for using C’est and Il est in the same sentence

You can use both in a single sentence if you first introduce something with C’est and then describe it with Il est. Use C’est to point out or identify and Il est to describe or provide more detailed information.

C’est un livre intéressant. Il est très instructif - This is an interesting book. It is very informative

C’est un étudiant irlandais , il est très drôle- He is an Irish student, she is very funny

In this case C’est introduces and identifies un livre and Il est provides more descriptive information about the book.

5- Exercices

exercices c'est versus il est in French

Exercice 1 ( level A1-A2)

 Complete the sentences with Il est or C'est

  1. _______ un bon professeur.

  2. _______ difficile de parler couramment.

  3. _______ très gentil.

  4. _______ une maison bleue.

  5. _______ intéressant de visiter Paris.

  6. _______ tard, nous devons partir.

  7. _______ un étudiant sérieux.

  8. _______ important d'apprendre le français.

Réponses :

  1. C'est

  2. Il est

  3. Il est

  4. C'est

  5. Il est

  6. Il est

  7. C'est

  8. Il est

 

Exercice 2 ( level B1-B2)

  1. _______ évident que nous devons continuer à nous entraîner.

  2. _______ un excellent moyen d'apprendre de nouvelles compétences.

  3. Selon toi_________impossible de rester sous l’eau plus de quatre minutes sans respirer

  4. _______ possible de résoudre ce problème rapidement.

  5. Je crois que _______ nécessaire de revoir le dossier.

  6. _______ une personne très compétente dans son domaine.

  7. Pour elle, _______ important de rester informée.

  8. _______ un livre que tout le monde devrait lire.

  9. _______ surprenant que tu aies fini si vite.

  10. Avec un peu d'effort, _______ faisable.

  11. _______ un véritable défi pour eux.

  12. Le projet, _______ ambitieux mais réalisable.

  13. _______ rare de voir autant de talent.

  14. _______ urgent de prendre une décision.

  15. _______ un plaisir de travailler avec toi.

Réponses :

  1. Il est

  2. C'est

  3. Il est

  4. Il est

  5. Il est

  6. C'est

  7. Il est

  8. C'est

  9. Il est

  10. C'est

  11. C'est

  12. Il est

  13. Il est

  14. Il est

  15. C'est

Would you like to improve your French grammar ?

Private French lessons online or in person in Paris with French à La Carte

At French à La Carte, we offer personalized and structured private French lessons. Grammar structures, syntax, tenses, feel free to contact us to learn more about the grammar points to focus on on according to your level ( A1,A2,B1,B2,C1)
If, you would like to practise with a French tutor, we can help you with private personalized lessons online or in person in Paris.

We offer

  • Conversational French

  • French for professionals

  • Lessons in the evening & on the week-ends

  • Immersive lessons in Paris

  • Exam preparation ( TCF, DELF, DALF)

French grammarFlorence HarangC'est versus Il est, C'est in French, Il est in FrenchComment