ce sont
The English phrase "these are" is translated into French as ce sont.
ce sont is used to identify or introduce a group of people or things. It is used to introduce or identify a plural noun phrase that follows it.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the neutral pronoun ce (it/this) and the third-person plural form of the verb être (are).
Which one should you use?
While ce sont is used for plural subjects, c'est is used for singular subjects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ce sont is the grammatically correct form for formal or written contexts. In casual spoken French, native speakers often use c'est even when referring to plural objects.
Did you know?
- The 'ce' in ce sont descends from the Latin word 'ecce', an exclamation meaning 'lo and behold'.
- Because ce is a neutral pronoun, it has no gender, allowing ce sont to introduce any plural group regardless of whether the items are masculine, feminine or a mix of both.
- In classical French literature, you may find ce sont used in a way that English speakers would find jarring: identifying people who are not present in the room, whereas English often switches to 'they are' in that context.
Examples in context
- Ce sont les miens.These are mine.This example shows how to use ce sont to indicate possession.Tatoeba #3252106 by sacredceltic, translation #2252705 by CK
- Ce sont nos livres.These are our books.This example shows how to use ce sont to identify plural objects.Tatoeba #397323 by sysko, translation #397322 by sysko
- Ce sont mes frères.These are my brothers.This example shows how to use ce sont to identify a group of people.Tatoeba #1864098 by Rovo, translation #2981294 by pne
- Ce sont mes collègues.These are my colleagues.
- Ce sont des étudiants très motivés.These are very motivated students.
- C'est des super voitures.These are great cars.
- Voici mes amis d'enfance.These are my childhood friends.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé shows Hugo some photos of her cats.
- ChloéRegarde, ce sont mes chats.Look, these are my cats.
- HugoIls sont très mignons !They are very cute!
- ChloéOui, ce sont des bébés.Yes, these are babies.
- HugoJe les adore.I love them.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ce, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
