In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?
- « Back to Q&A Forum
- « Previous questionNext question »
Laura C.Kwiziq community member
In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?
This question relates to:French lesson "Du/de la/de l'/des = Some/any (French Partitive Articles)"
Asked 7 years ago
![](/files/shared/_avatar-mids/user/23/aurelie-foliage_57f251f5d2e24.png)
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Laura !
"Il y a" means "there are" whereas "ce sont" means "these/they are":
"Il y a des chiens ici." (There are dogs here.)
"Ce sont des chiens." (These are dogs.)
I hope that's helpful!
À bientôt !
Laura C.Kwiziq community member
merci! i am just a beginner and this distinction was not clearly presented in class.
![](/files/shared/_avatar-mids/user/23/aurelie-foliage_57f251f5d2e24.png)
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Laura !
Here are links to our two related lessons :)
Il y a = There is/There are in French
C'est, ce sont = this is, these are (French Demonstrative Pronouns)
Bonne chance !
Don't have an account yet? Join today
Ask a question![Kwizbot, a friendly bot](https://cdnfr.kwiziq.com/img/kwizbot/kwizbot-v2.svg)
Find your French level for FREE
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Find your French level