In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

Laura C.A1Kwiziq community member

In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

Asked 7 years ago
AurélieNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq
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.A1Kwiziq community member
merci! i am just a beginner and this distinction was not clearly presented in class.
AurélieNative French expert teacher in Kwiziq
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 !

In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

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