Use of "ce sont" for "they're", instead of "ils sont" or "elles sont"

Mark H.C1Kwiziq community member

Use of "ce sont" for "they're", instead of "ils sont" or "elles sont"

In the sentence: "Que tu l'admettes ou non, ce ne sont pas tes amis," why is "ce ne sont pas" used for "they're not" instead of "ils ne sont pas"? Thank you.

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Mark, 

It is the perennial question asking why you cannot say -

il est mon ami = he is my friend 

il est mon frère = he's my brother 

etc.

you have to use -

C' est 

c'est mon ami ---> ce n'est pas mon ami

c'est mon frère ------> Ce n'est pas mon frère 

This is just the plural form of one of these examples.

Take another look at the Kwiziq lesson and the Q&A at the end of it -

https://kwiziq.learnfrenchwithalexa.com/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is

Bonne Continuation!

 

Use of "ce sont" for "they're", instead of "ils sont" or "elles sont"

In the sentence: "Que tu l'admettes ou non, ce ne sont pas tes amis," why is "ce ne sont pas" used for "they're not" instead of "ils ne sont pas"? Thank you.

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