I notice nearly all the subjects in these examples are proper nouns (with one qui?). When using a subject pronoun instead, would it become ce /c’ to avoid the il/elle + determiner construction ?
For example:
Elle est intelligente —> c’est la fille la plus intelligente de la classe
Bonjour Anne,
Yes, you can say this.
Bonne Continuation !
I now see what you mean, Anne.
Although we stress the rule to use "C'est, rather than Il/Elle est before a substantive" it is a good rule of thumb but there are some exceptions when you can use either.
1. When a superlative modifies the noun:
2. In exclamations or emphatic statements:
3. When a possessive adjective precedes the noun:
4. In some fixed expressions or idiomatic phrases:
5. When making a strong identification or definition:
While these exceptions exist, they are less common in everyday speech. For most situations, especially for learners, it's safer to stick to the general rule of using "c'est" before nouns.
P.S. That wouldn't be the case with my bed example .
Hope this helps!
Thank you for your reply, Cécile, but I was hoping for confirmation that you can’t use "Il est le lit le plus confortable" and "Elle est la fille la plus intelligente", you need to have "C’est" instead?
@Cécile:
Actually, item 3 in the list, has me confused. The use of il/elle in the example you provide seems to stem from the use of the superlative.
Qui est ce beau mec? -- C'est le petit-ami de ma soeur. Il est artist.
Just from a pedagogic perspective, I would simply say to use il/elle est in emphatic statements, which also include superlatives but also any other emphatic expression.
@Anne D.:
According to Cécile's explanation, you'd use il/elle in the examples you quote.
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