Example not following rule?

Jack M.A1Kwiziq community member

Example not following rule?

In the examples given, 

C'est pratique, les ciseaux. 

There is an adverb and a noun. Why would this not be ce sont? is les ciseaux similar to par of jeans? Where it is plural but acts singular? If this is so it is a slightly confusing example. Thank you. 

Asked 5 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Jack,

Just to add to what Chris said -

C'est is always followed by a masculine, singular adjective.

Here, 'pratique' is what we call in grammar terms an attribute adjective as it doesn't follow the noun directly and follows a verb of state.

Hope this helps! 

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

The lesson states:

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.

In the example, c'est is followed by pratique, which is an adjective used in an adverbial sense. This is what the above statement is really talking about.

Jack M. asked:

Example not following rule?

In the examples given, 

C'est pratique, les ciseaux. 

There is an adverb and a noun. Why would this not be ce sont? is les ciseaux similar to par of jeans? Where it is plural but acts singular? If this is so it is a slightly confusing example. Thank you. 

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