Grammar
Subject Pronouns
Master the eight French subject pronouns and when to use each one. Essential for conjugating any verb correctly.
The eight pronouns
| Pronoun | English | Use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | I | First person singular (j' before vowel) | |
| tu | you (informal) | One person, someone you know well | |
| il | he / it (m.) | One male person or masculine noun | |
| elle | she / it (f.) | One female person or feminine noun | |
| on | one / we (informal) | Informal 'we' in everyday speech | |
| nous | we (formal) | First person plural (formal/written) | |
| vous | you (formal/plural) | Formal singular OR any plural 'you' | |
| ils | they (m./mixed) | Males or mixed-gender group | |
| elles | they (f.) | All-female group only |
Tu vs. Vous
Tu
Friends, family, children, people your age or younger. Informal contexts.
Vous
Teachers, strangers, older people, professional settings. Also used for any plural group.
On vs. nous
Nous
"Nous allons au cinéma."
Formal/written. Used in essays and formal speech.
On
"On va au cinéma."
Common in everyday spoken French. Means 'we' in practice.
Note: In conversation, on is used far more than nous to mean 'we.'
Subject pronoun practice
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Which pronoun do you use for a group of two girls and one boy?
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