French Grammar
Subject Pronouns
An introduction to the French subject pronouns used for I, you, he, she, we, and they.
Start Interactive LessonLesson Summary
An introduction to the French subject pronouns used for I, you, he, she, we, and they.
Getting Started with Subject Pronouns
Why French Requires Subject Pronouns
Languages such as Spanish and Italian may omit a subject pronoun when the verb ending already identifies the subject. Standard French normally requires an explicit subject. This requirement is particularly important in speech because many present-tense verb forms are pronounced alike. The subject pronoun (le pronom sujet) therefore identifies who or what performs the action.
Singular and Plural Pronouns
| Pronoun | English Equivalent | Number |
|---|---|---|
| je (j’) | I | Singular |
| tu | You (informal) | Singular |
| il | He or it (masculine) | Singular |
| elle | She or it (feminine) | Singular |
| nous | We | Plural |
| vous | You (formal singular or plural) | Singular or plural |
| ils | They (masculine or mixed group) | Plural |
| elles | They (entirely feminine group) | Plural |
The Two Forms of You
French distinguishes informal and formal address. Tu is generally used when addressing one friend, family member, child, or another person in an informal context. Vous is used when addressing more than one person and is also used for one person in a formal, professional, or respectful context.
Choosing the Correct Form of They
Use ils for a group of masculine nouns or for a mixed group containing masculine and feminine members. Use elles only when every member of the group is grammatically feminine.
Examples
- Je parle français.Je is the first-person singular subject pronoun.
- Thomas et Marie habitent ici. Ils sont gentils.A mixed group takes the masculine plural pronoun ils.
Related searches
These are the main phrases this lesson covers: