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C'est or il est

CEFR A1 · part 28 minInstant feedback

edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.

  1. 1Try
  2. 2Learn
  3. 3Practise
  4. 4Check
The rule, in three lines

C'est is followed by something: an article, a proper name, a pronoun — c'est un médecin, c'est Marie. Il/elle est takes a job or nationality with no article: il est médecin. And in the plural, ce sont.

The usual slip. Putting an article after il est: «il est un médecin». With a bare job there is no article; with an article you need c'est.

Why it catches you out. English always puts an article —he is a doctor— so you put one in French too, and il est un médecin is exactly what comes out. Yours is the only one of the four that has to LOSE something here.