Clearing the Confusion: C'est / Il est / Elle est

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What You Will Find In This Course

In French, saying “it is” or “he/she is” isn’t as straightforward as in English. You’ll often hear "c’est, il est, and elle est"—but they’re not interchangeable, and their usage can feel confusing at first. In this course, we’re going to break down these three expressions step by step so you can finally understand when and why to use each one. By the end, you’ll have a clear, simple way to choose the right form every time!

Why Creating a Course Specifically For "C'est / Il est / Elle est" ?

We noticed many of our students were confused by when to use c’est and when to use il/elle est. These expressions are simple on the surface, but they follow different patterns. So we decided to create a course to break them down step by step, with clear examples and practice. In this course, we want to give ourstudents the confidence to use them correctly in everyday conversation.

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Many French learners—even advanced ones—struggle with choosing between c’est and il/elle est, because:

1. They look similar but are used differently

   • C’est is often used for identification (“That’s my friend”), introducing something new, or general judgments.

   • Il est / Elle est is often used for descriptions or professions (“He is tall,” “She is a doctor”).

     
     

2. Textbooks often oversimplify the rule

   • They may only give one or two examples without showing the full range of usage.

   • Learners end up memorizing fragments instead of understanding the logic.

     
     

3. Mistakes sound unnatural right away

   • Saying “Il est un professeur” instead of “Il est professeur” or “C’est un professeur” immediately shows the speaker isn’t comfortable with French.

     
     

4. It’s essential for fluency and confidence

   • This small detail makes a huge difference in sounding natural.

   • Mastering it helps students think in French rather than translating from English.

In this program, the content, visuals, and exercises have been carefully created to support students to the fullest, helping them succeed and enjoy their French learning journey as smoothly and effectively as possible.

Our course has been designed based on an extensive teaching experience across different countries and cultures. It is primarily intended for an English-speaking audience. For a version tailored specifically to Chinese learners, a customized course can be arranged upon request—please contact us for details.

Whenever you need extra help during your course, we’re here for you! You can book a 30-minute support session at any time to go over anything you find challenging.

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