Use of On

Ephraim A.A1Kwiziq community member

If On is used to say we as a group with which you're familiar with and are part of, does that mean saying it for other groups or just random groups of people means it becomes "One Or People" ? And do French speakers receive it as so ?

This question relates to:French lesson "On can mean either we/one/people (French Subject Pronouns)"

Asked 3 years ago

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Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

"on" is used in place of "nous" in everyday French. You can't use it for groups that you're not part of. Even if used in the impersonal (and original) sense -- meaning "one" or "people" or "mankind" -- you are, strictly speaking part of all those groups.

To determine what "on" means, the more colloquial "we" or the more proper "one", you have to look at context.

Like23 years ago

Ephraim A. asked:

Use of On

If On is used to say we as a group with which you're familiar with and are part of, does that mean saying it for other groups or just random groups of people means it becomes "One Or People" ? And do French speakers receive it as so ?

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