C'est or Il est? The difference between them.

This is a common mistake French students make. Why? 

Because these 2 expressions look very similar. After all, it’s the same verb. Let’s review when and how to use each expression.

Should I use C'est or il est?

To start with, let’s translate each phrase. On one hand, we have “C’est” meaning “it’s” and in some cases, it signifies “that is” and on the other hand, “il est” means “he is”.

Basically, we use “c’est” when it’s general and “il est” when the subject is rather specific.

When and How to Use Them in French

Now, there are several different situations when we choose one expression or the other.

For instance, whenever you want to point something or someone out, you will choose “c’est”. 

• Ce chien, c’est un labrador >>> That dog - it’s a labrador. 

It’s not any dog but its breed is specific. It also works with humans like this example:

• Cet homme, c’est le président de l’entreprise >>> That man, it’s the president of the company. 

However, you’ll want to be more careful while using the possession. Indeed, if you are talking about something general you’ll opt for “c’est” but with specific things, you’ll pick “il est” as long as it’s masculine. “Elle est” would be the feminine equivalent.

• C’est à moi >>> it’s mine. 
• Il est à moi >>> He's mine.

In this case, “il” substitutes the subject we’ve just talked about like a labrador, a bag, a pen, a plane, a smartphone…

Use “C’est” when you express an opinion.

Here’s a tip for you. Every time you are requested to give your opinion on something, either a place, a meal or a person, simply say or write “c’est”.

Let’s have different examples:

• C’est un endroit magnifique! >>> It’s a great place!
• C’est une délicieuse tarte! >>> It’s a delicious pie!

• C’est une actrice formidable! >>> She’s a great actress! 

This example is tricky because the English translation is with the pronoun “she”. Yet, in French, the expression “c’est” in this case is used when we emphasize something or someone.

Describe a place with the French expression “c’est”.

Do you want to describe a place with adjectives? Again, this is a way to emphasize a place. You are specific about this place and “c’est” just does that.

Let’s play with a few examples:

• Paris, c’est une ville romantique >>> Paris is a romantic town. 

• Singapour, c’est un pays où il n’y a pas de changement de saison >>> Singapore is a country where the climate is always the same.

• Vienne, c’est la meilleure ville au monde >>> Vienna is the best place in the world.

• Ce parc, c’est le lieu idéal pour se reposer >>> This park is perfect to have some rest.

“C'est” with time periods.

Whenever you wish to refer to a certain period of time, pick the structure “c’est”.

In the next example, the English translation has nothing to do with the French sentence but the idea is the same: mentioning a period of time.

• “Outlander”, c’est une série qui représente la période des guerres entre l’Écosse et l’Angleterre >>> The series “Outlander” represents the period of the wars between Scotland and England.

Which one to choose: C'est or il est?

Time to tackle the mistake almost any French student makes. And it’s normal since in English we prefer the subject “he”.

As we have just seen, it’s more common when we point out and describe at the same time to use “c’est” like the following instances:

• C’est lui que j’aime le plus dans la série >>> He’s the one I like most in the series. 
• C’est un bel acteur >>> He’s a handsome actor.

Once more, we are being specific and “c’est” is required.

When “il est” is better than “C'est”...

Fortunately in this case, the French translation is literally the same. So, simply transcribe word for word.

• Il est l’acteur que j’aime le plus dans la série >>> He’s the actor I like most in the series.
• Il est le meilleur acteur de la série >>> He’s the best actor in the series.

Don’t worry too much because you can switch to “c’est” as well…

Something truly essential to remember. In French, when describing positions, unlike English, we don’t need the article before the job.

• Il est acteur  >>> He’s an actor.
• Il est dentiste  >>> He’s a dentist. 

“C'est” for general things and “il est” for specific things.

As we have mentioned several times already, “c’est” is perfect for general things, and “il est” is meant for specificity.

Let’s see it clearly with the same sentence with some nuances.

• Je préfère le chocolat noir dans ma mousse au chocolat. Il est délicieux  >>>  I prefer dark chocolate in my mousse.

• Je préfère le chocolat noir dans ma mousse au chocolat. C’est délicieux  >>> I prefer dark chocolate in my mousse.

In the first example, we focus on the chocolate and its composition. We want to point out the kind of chocolate we prefer: it’s not white, nor milk chocolate but dark.

On the contrary, in the second example, we are talking about the whole dessert. You could say we are general here…

How to tell time with “il est”.

In French, in order to tell time, we only use the impersonal expression “il est”. So, in this case, simply get accustomed to it even if it’s strange if you translate it word for word.

Here are some examples with the exact same structure with “il est”:

• Il est une heure.  >>> It’s one o’clock.
• Il est deux heures et demie.  >>> It’s 2 thirty.
• Il est quatre heures moins le quart.  >>> It’s a quarter to five.

How to use the impersonal with “il est”.

True, “c’est” is the literal translation of “it’s”. However, in many cases the impersonal form in French is based on “il est”. Let’s review some cases.

First, with expressions like these examples:

• Il est le moment de partir.  >>> It’s time to go.
• Il est temps de partir.  >>> It’s time to go.

Note that for oral French, you’ll hear more “c’est” as it’s less formal.

The impersonal with “il est” with the subjunctive.

Even more complex, you can find French impersonal structures that require the subjunctive. The pattern is with an adjective in the first part and the subjunctive in the second one.

Let’s have a look:

• Il est important que tu sois positif/ve  >>> It’s important for you to be positive.
• Il est essentiel que tu sois à l’heure.  >>> It’s vital that you’re on time.

By the way, there is another impersonal pattern with another verb: “il faut” that you should know because you can hear it everywhere. It conveys the idea of obligation. 

That’s why the translation in English is with the verb “to have”.

•   Il faut que tu fasses tes devoirs.  >>> You have to do your homework.

As a conclusion, both structures share the same verb to be. However, “c’est” is when we talk in general or when we speak and say “c’est” with some expressions when the correct answer is with “il est”.

With the expression “il est”, you can either use it when being specific about a male subject or object. In addition, you need the structure “il est” for the impersonal mode with telling time, describing the weather, or with expressions that require the subjunctive.

So, the best way to memorize each case is by creating your own examples. More importantly, translate the idea and not word for word. After all, each language has its own patterns.

So, what's the hardest point to apply for you?