Certain(e)s d'entre eux/elles = Some of them (French Indefinite Pronouns)

Take the fastest path to fluent French

Indefinite pronouns refer to people or things without saying exactly who or what they are. "Certain(e)s d'entre eux/elles" is part of the indefinite pronouns.

How to use the indefinite pronouns certain(e)s d'entre eux/elles in French

Look at these sentences:

Certaines d'entre elles avaient un pique-niqueSome of them (all female group) had a packed lunch 

Certains d'entre eux ont refusé d'y allerSome of them (mixed or male group) refused to go there

As-tu rencontré ces filles?
-Oui, J'ai rencontré certaines d'entre elles.
Did you meet these girls?
-Yes, I met some of them.

Tu vois ces mecs?
-Oui, je connais certains d'entre eux.
Do you see these guys?
-Yes, I know some of them.

To talk about a portion of a group ('some of them'), we use the indefinite pronouns "certains/certaines" followed by "d'entre eux/d'entre elles"


Note that these pronouns agree with the gender of the group they refer to (if it is a mixed group, it will be "certains d'entre eux"

 

Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Certaines d'entre elles avaient un pique-niqueSome of them (all female group) had a packed lunch 
Certains d'entre eux ont refusé d'y allerSome of them (mixed or male group) refused to go there
As-tu rencontré ces filles?
-Oui, J'ai rencontré certaines d'entre elles.
Did you meet these girls?
-Yes, I met some of them.
Tu vois ces mecs?
-Oui, je connais certains d'entre eux.
Do you see these guys?
-Yes, I know some of them.
Thinking...