Subject Pronouns For Intermediate learners
What Are Subject Pronouns (Les pronoms sujets) in French?
In order to prevent repetition, subject pronouns (Les pronoms sujets) are words that take the place of a sentence's subject, which is typically a noun. They show what or who is carrying out the action. Because verbs in French conjugate differently depending on the subject, subject pronouns are crucial.
List of French Subject Pronouns (Pronoms sujets)
Pronoun | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
je | I | Used for first person singular |
tu | you | Informal, singular |
il | he / it | Masculine singular |
elle | she / it | Feminine singular |
on | one / we / people | Can mean "we" in spoken French, or "people" in general |
nous | we | First person plural |
vous | you | Formal singular or plural |
ils | they | Masculine plural or mixed gender group |
elles | they | Feminine plural only |
Usage of Subject Pronouns
a) Replacing a noun
Subject pronouns replace the subject (a person, animal, or object) in a sentence:
Marie parle français. → Elle parle français.
Marie speaks French. → She speaks French.
This avoids repeating the noun and keeps sentences smooth.
Le chat dort. → Il dort.
The cat is sleeping. → It is sleeping.
b) Verb agreement
The verb must agree with the subject pronoun in person and number. Notice how the ending changes depending on the pronoun:
je parle → I speak
tu parles → you speak (singular, informal)
il/elle/on parle → he/she/one speaks
nous parlons → we speak
vous parlez → you speak (formal or plural)
ils/elles parlent → they speak
The Pronoun On
Grammatically, it is always singular and always conjugated like il / elle. Even when it refers to several people, the verb stays singular.
On parle français ici.
We speak French here.
a) Impersonal meaning: "one / people / you / they"
on is very often used to make general statements or talk about people in general, without specifying who. This is the most common use in formal statements and signs.
On dit que ce film est excellent.
People say this movie is excellent.
En france, on mange tard.
In france, people eat late.
On ne fume pas ici.
No smoking here / you don't smoke here.
b) Informal meaning: "we"
In spoken and informal French, on is extremely often used instead of nous.
On va au cinéma ce soir.
We're going to the movies tonight.
ven when on means we, the verb stays singular. (plural meaning, singular verb)
On a fini le travail.
We've finished the work.
c) Vague or unknown subject: "someone / they"
on can refer to someone unknown or unimportant. This use avoids naming the person responsible.
On a volé mon vélo.
Someone stole my bike.
On frappe à la porte.
Someone is knocking at the door.
Notes on Usage
Il / Elle for objects: French assigns gender to nouns, so even objects take pronouns.
La table est belle. → Elle est belle.
The table is beautiful. → It is beautiful.
Le livre est intéressant. → Il est intéressant.
The book is interesting. → It is interesting.
Subject pronouns are always required in French; unlike English, you cannot omit them.
English: "Speak French." → French: Tu parles français.
You must include tu in French.
Formal vous: Use vous when speaking to someone you don't know well, to show respect, or to address more than one person. Use tu for friends, family, or children.
Tu peux m'aider ? (informal) → Vous pouvez m'aider ? (formal)
Can you help me? → Can you help me?
Tu es prêt ? (informal) → Vous êtes prêt(e) ? (formal
Are you ready? → Are you ready?
Ils vs elles: Use ils for masculine or mixed groups, elles for all-female groups.
Paul et Marie sont en retard. Ils arrivent bientôt.
Paul and Marie are late. They are arriving soon.
Les garçons sont contents. Ils jouent dans le jardin.
The boys are happy. They are playing in the garden.
Marie et Sophie sont ici. Elles attendent le bus.
Marie and Sophie are here. They are waiting for the bus.
Elision of je: In French, the subject pronoun je becomes j' before a verb that begins with a vowel sound or a silent h.
je aime ✖ → j'aime ✔
I like
je habite ✖ → j'habite ✔
I live
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