Is there an 'appropriacy' issue with 'c'est à moi' over 'c'est le miens'?

Stuart B.B1Kwiziq community member

Is there an 'appropriacy' issue with 'c'est à moi' over 'c'est le miens'?

Would one be be considered more formal than the other? (If so, which one!) Thanks.
Asked 8 years ago
LauraNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer
Bonjour Stuart,

No, there's no difference in formality, but c'est à moi is a bit more emphatic than c'est le mien.* C'est à moi is also a bit vaguer, more global, since le mien is focusing on / replacing the specific item, rather than stressing the owner.

*Note that there's no s in the singular: le mien, les miens.

Is there an 'appropriacy' issue with 'c'est à moi' over 'c'est le miens'?

Would one be be considered more formal than the other? (If so, which one!) Thanks.

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