Impersonal pronouns (2)

1 Constructions with être + adjective

These can be used on their own, or be followed by an infinitive or que.

1.1 Anticipating an idea

When anticipating an idea, il is used. The word de comes before an infinitive:

De nos jours il est difficile de trouver un emploi permanent

These days it is difficult to get a permanent job

Il est surprenant que ses notes aient été si mauvaises

It is surprising that his marks were so poor

1.2 Referring back to an idea

When referring back to an idea, ce is used. The word à comes before an infinitive :

De nos jours un emploi permanent, c'est difficile à trouver

These days getting a permanent job is difficult

Ses notes ont été très mauvaises, c'est surprenant

His marks were very poor, it's surprising

2 Constructions with être + other words

Where être is followed by something other an adjective , ce is used:

C'est le professeur

It's the teacher

C'est ainsi que je l'ai trouvé

That's how I found him

Il a pris une décision courageuse: c'était de continuer

He took a brave decision: to continue

- Qui est là? - C'est moi

"Who's there?" "It's me"

3 Ce v il / elle as personal pronouns

When ce and il are used as impersonal pronouns, this means they are equivalent to the English impersonal pronoun it as in It is Peter on the telephone, i.e. they do not refer to a specific noun .

This is not to be confused with their use as personal pronouns which do refer to a specific noun, equivalent to it in Your new house? I think it is very nice. The following rules apply with the verb être:

3.1 Il / elle

Il and elle can only be used if they are followed by an adjective or a noun behaving like an adjective:

Voilà ma maison. Elle est très belle

That's my house. It's very beautiful

Voilà Pierre. Il est très sympathique

There's Pierre. He's very nice

Voilà M. Dupont. Il est professeur

There's Mr Dupont. He's a teacher

3.2 Ce

Ce is used when followed by a conventional noun :

Voilà où j'habite. C'est une belle maison

That's where I live. It's a beautiful house

Voilà Pierre. C'est une personne sympathique

There's Pierre. He's a nice person

Voilà M. Dupont. C'est un professeur

There's Mr Dupont. He's a teacher