Hello, I m trying to understand this sentence:
J'utilise ces tomates. Ce sont les dernières.
Are we using ce sont here before the article les? My first reaction was to say elles sont...
thank you.
Remember that in sentences it is/they are ... + article/determinant (un, une, le, la, les, des...) + noun/pronoun, you will use c'est or ce sont instead of il/elle est or ils/elles sont.
See C'est vs il/elle est: Saying it is
Now look at these examples:
Est-ce ta trousse? - Oui, c'est la mienne.
Is this your pencil case? - Yes, this is mine.
À qui sont ces livres? Ce sont mes livres.
Whose books are these? These are my books
Note that ce is used with the verb être as follows: in its singular form, c'est, means it is /this is /that is, and in its plural form, ce sont, means they are /these are /those are.
Both forms are used to refer to a thing or a person (i.e. a girl, a table, a house, ...), and they agree in number (singular or plural) with the thing they refer to.
BUT
When c'est is followed by an adjective or an adverb on its own, you NEVER use ce sont, even if the thing referred to is plural:
C'est pratique, les ciseaux.
They're practical, scissors.
Et leurs anniversaires ? - C'est bientôt !
What about their birthdays? - They're soon!
Note that if c'est is followed by an adverb AND a noun, then the noun is the one that matters!
ATTENTION:
It is worth noticing that the first rule is not always followed rigorously by French speakers. You could indeed hear them using c'est when they should use ce sont:
However, they will never use ce sont for c'est !
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
C'est pratique, les ciseaux.
They're practical, scissors.
C'est ma maison.
This is my house.
Ce sont mes maisons.
These are my houses.
Ce sont les amis de mon frère.
These are my brother's friends.
À qui sont ces livres? Ce sont mes livres.
Whose books are these? These are my books
Est-ce ta trousse? - Oui, c'est la mienne.
Is this your pencil case? - Yes, this is mine.
C'est bientôt les vacances!
It's the holidays soon!
Et leurs anniversaires ? - C'est bientôt !
What about their birthdays? - They're soon!
Ce sont bientôt les vacances!
It's almost the holidays!
Q&A Forum 16 questions, 35 answers
ReneKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
ce sont
Asked 1 month ago
Bonjour Rene,
Madame Cécile has addressed the question as to why “Elles sont” can’t be used here->
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Ce sont les dernières. --The're the last ones.
Ces usually requires a noun to follow:
Ces tomates sont les dernières. -- These tomatoes are the last ones.
ReneKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks for the replies... not very clear. :-(
Do I have to use "ce sont" because the following word is the article "le"? I think there is a rule that says "c'est"and "ce sont" before "un, let, and possessive pronouns". Am I on the right track?
ReneKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Thanks for the replies... not very clear. :-(
Do I have to use "ce sont" because the following word is the article "le"? I think there is a rule that says "c'est"and "ce sont" before "un, let, and possessive pronouns". Am I on the right track?
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Ce is often used as a pronom neutre, a neutral pronoun. Most of the time it is followed by a form of être.
Ces is a demonstrative pronoun and is followed by a noun.
Maybe this helps to clarify further: https://french.stackexchange.com/questions/6226/when-to-use-ils-sont-ces-sont-or-ce-sont
Rene asked:View original
ce sont
Hello, I m trying to understand this sentence:
J'utilise ces tomates. Ce sont les dernières.
Are we using ce sont here before the article les? My first reaction was to say elles sont...
thank you.
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CarlosKwiziq community member
In the sentence "Ce sont mes livres" why do you write "Ce" this/that instead of "Ces" these?
Asked 5 months ago
Hi Carlos,
C'est is for a singular , Ce sont for a plural .
because of the clash of the two vowels.
C'est mon fils , c'est ma fille = He is / this is my son, she is/ this is my daughter
Ce sont mes enfants = These are my children / They are my children
Hope this helps!
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Ce sont mes livres -- This are my books. Here the demonstrative pronoun ce is not like an adjective to "books". It is a demonstrative pronoun all by itself and hence is not matched in gender and number to "books".
Ces livres sont à moi. -- These books belong to me. In this case ces refers directly to the books and behaves like an adjective. Therefore it needs to be matched to "books".
Carlos asked:View original
In the sentence "Ce sont mes livres" why do you write "Ce" this/that instead of "Ces" these?
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ChaseKwiziq community member
Ce sont nos livres vs Ces livres _ nous
Hi,
I have looked all over the site, but cannot seem to find where to learn the correct answer for "Ces livres _ nous/These books are ours" - it's very frustrating.
For me, I'd write "Ce sont nos livres" or "Ces livres sont les notres".
Could someone clarify the instance where I'd use "nous" at the end? Or at least direct me to the lessons explaining these instances?
I've been stuck on Gold A1 for 3 days (99.97%) and it's extremely frustrating to continuously have these setbacks. All I want is my diamond badge so I can move on to A2.
Many thanks
Asked 6 months ago
Hi Chase,
You could also say -
Ces livres sont à nous.
Hope this helps!
Alan Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Expressing possession with être à
Normally when you get a question wrong, you get a link to the appropriate lesson. Did that not happen here?
Chase asked:View original
Ce sont nos livres vs Ces livres _ nous
Hi,
I have looked all over the site, but cannot seem to find where to learn the correct answer for "Ces livres _ nous/These books are ours" - it's very frustrating.
For me, I'd write "Ce sont nos livres" or "Ces livres sont les notres".
Could someone clarify the instance where I'd use "nous" at the end? Or at least direct me to the lessons explaining these instances?
I've been stuck on Gold A1 for 3 days (99.97%) and it's extremely frustrating to continuously have these setbacks. All I want is my diamond badge so I can move on to A2.
Many thanks
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FrenchKwiziq community member
Why does mienne have an article before it? Isn't mine a possessive pronoun?
Asked 7 months ago
Bonjour -
Yes, "mine" is a possessive pronoun, and la mienne is its feminine singular equivalent. French possessive pronouns always begin with an article - see Le mien, le tien, le sien, etc = Mine, yours, his/hers/its (possessive pronouns)
FrenchKwiziq community member
I understand, so because it is followed by an article "la mienne" c'est is used.
FrenchKwiziq community member
Can I say "Cette robe que je porte au travail" instead of,
"C'est la robe que je porte au travail"
French asked:View original
Why does mienne have an article before it? Isn't mine a possessive pronoun?
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HebaKwiziq community member
Confused
Bonjour,
In the examples on the right you say in number 4 on the second row:
C'est bientôt les vacances!
It's the holidays soon!
But in explaining the lesson you say:
Ce sont bientôt les vacances!
It's the holidays soon!
Which is correct?!
Thank you.
Asked 1 year ago
Hi Heba,
Both are acceptable, although the plural version "ce sont" is more formal and considered a bit more "proper".
Here is a page that explains it well: http://www.oniris.be/forum/c-est-les-vacances-ou-ce-sont-les-vacances-t6977s0.html
Heba asked:View original
Confused
Bonjour,
In the examples on the right you say in number 4 on the second row:
C'est bientôt les vacances!
It's the holidays soon!
But in explaining the lesson you say:
Ce sont bientôt les vacances!
It's the holidays soon!
Which is correct?!
Thank you.
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MariaKwiziq community member
In the sentence " J' utilise ces tomates. Ce cont les dernières". Why can't we say "elles sont les dernières" since we talk about specific tomatoes?
Asked 1 year ago
Hi Maria,
You could say:
"J'utilise ces tomates, elles sont très mûres, ce sont les dernières de la saison."
(I am using these tomatoes, they are very ripe , the last ones of the season.)
You cannot say, elles sont les dernières de la saison.
Hope this helps!
Kwiziq community member
Hi, Maria. It's because of "LES dernières." C'est/ce sont is needed when there's a noun following. I think that note about specific/general inadverantly called so much attention to itself that it took away from the greater point.
Maria asked:View original
In the sentence " J' utilise ces tomates. Ce cont les dernières". Why can't we say "elles sont les dernières" since we talk about specific tomatoes?
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AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour CrystalMaiden!
The answer is no, you would never say "ceux sont" in French :)
Bonne journée !
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ReneKwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Confused.
In previous lesson: use c'est for general things (la soupe, c'est délicieux=(drinking)soup is delicious), il, elle for specific things: la soupe, elle est délicieuse=the (specific) soup is delicious.
I just don't know how to fit c'est pratique, les ciseaux, c'est ma maison, and c'est bientôt les vacances info the "general format".
Can you help?
Asked 2 years ago
Ron Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonsoir à nouveau,
I am uncertain about your continued confusion with the c'est and ce sont demonstrative pronouns. Here is something from the lesson that may help:
«Note that ce is used with the verb être as follows: in its singular form, c'est, means it is /this is /that is, and in its plural form, ce sont, means they are /these are /those are. »
Here is a link to another site that could possibly help clear up the confusion:
https://www.tolearnfrench.com/exercises/exercise-french-2/exercise-french-3555.php
Bonne chance.
Rene asked:View original
Confused.
In previous lesson: use c'est for general things (la soupe, c'est délicieux=(drinking)soup is delicious), il, elle for specific things: la soupe, elle est délicieuse=the (specific) soup is delicious.
I just don't know how to fit c'est pratique, les ciseaux, c'est ma maison, and c'est bientôt les vacances info the "general format".
Can you help?
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Ron Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Bonjour Cheryl,
I am quite uncertain of the meaning of your question. C'est and ce sont are both demonstrative pronouns. Would you be so kind as to clarify the meaning of «before a pronoun»?
Merci,
Kwiziq community member
It's ok I've worked it out myself - I think!. It's only C'est when it's a adjective or adverb. Pronouns like miennes would still be Ce sont???
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
It would, e.g., be "Les valises, ce sont les miennes." I hope that was your question.
-- Chris. (not a native speaker)
-- Chris. (not a native speaker)
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AjitKwiziq community member
It is bit confusing.
" Qui est cet homme? Does that not refer to a specific person? The why not "ill est? "
Asked 2 years ago
GruffKwiziq team member
Hi Ajit - I think you're referring to a different lesson (when to c'est versus il/elle est?). If so, that's explained here:
/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is
When referring to a specific person, you always used "C'est...".
Hope that helps.
/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is
When referring to a specific person, you always used "C'est...".
Hope that helps.
Ajit asked:View original
It is bit confusing.
" Qui est cet homme? Does that not refer to a specific person? The why not "ill est? "
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Susan Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Reviewing this, I find I'm confused anew. From the earlier lesson:
Tu aimes mon pull ? -Oui, il est très beau.
But above: À qui sont ces livres? Ce sont mes livres.
Since the books under discussion are specific, why would one not say, Ils sont mes livres?
Asked 2 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Susan !
This is the case 1 explained in the following lesson:
C'est vs il/elle est: Saying it is
"1. c'est in sentences "it/he/she is + a/the/my... + thing/people"
If "it/he/she is" is followed by un/une/le/la...(any form of article / determinant) - it is a beautiful dress / she is a nice person - then you will use c'est. "
À bientôt !
Susan Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Tnx, as ever, for your help.
What I'm finding confusing is what appears to be a conflict between the two rules. You say: mon pull, and il est (because its specific, not general), but you also say, ces livres and ce sont (also specific, not general). Other than that the first being singular and the second, plural, what is it that makes these two examples different?
I've read and re-read both lessons on this, and I'm still, unfortunately, missing the point (not that that hasn't happened before). I hope you will clarify further.
Susan asked:View original
Reviewing this, I find I'm confused anew. From the earlier lesson:
Tu aimes mon pull ? -Oui, il est très beau.
But above: À qui sont ces livres? Ce sont mes livres.
Since the books under discussion are specific, why would one not say, Ils sont mes livres?
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Bonjour Emily !
"Cela est" can be used but would sound overly pompous, and nowadays you would only encounter it when people are making fun of a "posh" accent, as no one would use "cela est" in an non-ironic way these days.
Bonne journée !
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Ivo !
You never really use "Cela est" as the contraction "c'est" is done for pronunciation reasons: it's just easier to say "c'est", no one ever say "cela est" :)
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
EmilyKwiziq community member
In other words, one will never ever find herself using the construction "Cela est"?
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NazaninKwiziq community member
Finally again i didnt get when il/elle and when c'est?
Asked 3 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Nazanin ! Here is a link to the actual lesson on "c'est versus il est/elle est" :
/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is
Please have a look at it, and let us know if you're still struggling with this concept, and what bothers you specifically, and we'll be happy to try and clarify it for you :)
À bientôt !
/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is
Please have a look at it, and let us know if you're still struggling with this concept, and what bothers you specifically, and we'll be happy to try and clarify it for you :)
À bientôt !
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What is your question? It is either "ce est -->c'est" or "ce sont". There is no "ces sont" meaning "they are" as far as I know. But, mind you, I am not a native speaker...
-- Chris.
-- Chris.
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Just to clarify, here is an example as I understand it:
(1) Les pommes sont fraîches. Ces pommes sont fraîches.
(2) Les pommes sont fraîches. Ce sont fraîches.
In the first example "ces" is a demonstrative pronoun and needs to agree in gender and number with "pommes". In the latter example "ce sont" is a fixed phrase meaning "they are" as a whole.
Hope that helps, -- Chris.
Chris Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Understood.
Do you also find that the answering of questions is not so much in the focus of kwiziq? I have asked a couple of questions here which never got a reply. And I see other's having the same problem. Is Laura's forum better in that respect?
-- Chris.
Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor
Hi Chris,
In fairness, they don't have a lot of staff and they are in the process of constant development as I understand it. I have a point about the use of "pour" in future usage acknowledged as valid but not yet addressed because of time constraints.
The thing about Laura's Forum is that there are some very knowledgeable members who are willing to help and I do get answers there.
Regards,
Alan
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SusanKwiziq community member
Why is it 'ce sont mes livres' not 'c'est'?
Above it says when a thing is about to be mentioned always use 'c'est'. The previous mention is in another sentence.
Asked 4 years ago
LauraKwiziq team member
Bonjour Susan,
Thanks for your question. You're right, the explanation isn't clear - we'll get it fixed as soon as possible.
Susan asked:View original
Why is it 'ce sont mes livres' not 'c'est'?
Above it says when a thing is about to be mentioned always use 'c'est'. The previous mention is in another sentence.
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