C'est vs il est

Wendy H.C1Kwiziq community member

I understand that the general rule of thumb is to use "c'est" when followed by a noun (even when qualified by an adjective) and "il / elle est" when followed by an adjective - so why is it "C'est nuageux" rather than Il est nuageux." Is it to do with 'the weather' being inanimate and non specific? Or something else?

Asked 4 years ago

Like0Answer1

CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Wendy,

If I have understood your query correctly you could say both:

C'est nuageux

or

Il fait nuageux

for,

It's cloudy

You have to use the weather verb 'faire' not être in the second case.

Hope this helps!

Like14 years ago

Wendy H. asked:

C'est vs il est

I understand that the general rule of thumb is to use "c'est" when followed by a noun (even when qualified by an adjective) and "il / elle est" when followed by an adjective - so why is it "C'est nuageux" rather than Il est nuageux." Is it to do with 'the weather' being inanimate and non specific? Or something else?

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