C’EST VS. IL EST

Both Il (ils, elle, elles) and Ce can mean he, she, it, or that as the subject of the verb ETRE, but these pronouns are not interchangeable. There are specific grammatical rules that require choosing between Il (ils, elle, elles) and Ce.  

-       Generally, if the word following ETRE could itself function as the subject of a verb, you use CE.

-       If the word following the ETRE cannot be the subject of a verb, you must use the appropriate personal pronoun il, elle, ils, elles.

A.  CE + ETRE

1. Proper Noun	C’est Jeanne.
2. Disjunctive Pronoun	C’est elle. Ce sont elles.
3. Noun	C’est une calculatrice? -Non, ce n’est pas une calculatrice. C’est un ordinateur.
4. Modified noun of profession, nationality, religion	C’est un bon profeseur.
5. Masculine adjective referring to a complete idea	-Tu travailles dans un restaurant français? -Oui, c’est intéressant.

                        

B. IL/ ELLE/ ILS/ ELLES + ETRE

1. Adjective referring to specific people or things	Elle est belle.
2. Prepositional Phrase	Elle est dans un café. Ils sont à Paris.
3. Unmodified noun of profession, nationality, and religion	Elle est professor.

                         

NOTEL: When starting a noun profession, nationality, or religion, both C’EST and IL EST can be used if the noun is unmodified. In such a case, when you use C’EST retain the article; after IL EST omit it. When the noun is modified by an adjective, you must use C’EST.