A subject pronoun is a word such as I, you, he, she, we, or they that refers to the person or thing connected to the verb.
French also uses subject pronouns with conjugated verbs. The pronoun identifies the subject, while the verb form changes to match it.
French subject pronouns
French subject pronouns distinguish between different people, groups, and ways of addressing someone.
The basic forms correspond to these English pronouns:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| je | I |
| tu | you |
| il | he, it |
| elle | she, it |
| on | one, we, people |
| nous | we |
| vous | you |
| ils | they |
| elles | they |
Il and elle can refer to people or to masculine and feminine nouns. Ils refers to a masculine group or a group containing both masculine and feminine members. Elles refers to a group that is entirely feminine.
Je becomes j' before a vowel sound or silent h:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| j'aime | I like, I love |
| j'habite | I live |
| j'écoute | I listen |
Subject pronouns and verb forms
French verbs change according to the subject. A subject pronoun therefore appears with the verb form that matches it.
The ending of parler changes with the subject pronoun:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| je parle | I speak |
| tu parles | you speak |
| il parle | he speaks |
| elle parle | she speaks |
| nous parlons | we speak |
| vous parlez | you speak |
| ils parlent | they speak |
| elles parlent | they speak |
Several forms can sound alike even though their spelling differs. The subject pronoun helps identify who the verb refers to.
A noun can also serve as the subject. A subject pronoun can then refer back to that person or thing:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Marie travaille. Elle est occupée. | Marie is working. She is busy. |
| Paul arrive. Il est en avance. | Paul is arriving. He is early. |
| Paul et Marie arrivent. Ils sont en avance. | Paul and Marie are arriving. They are early. |
On as a subject pronoun
On always takes a third-person singular verb form. Its meaning changes according to the context.
In everyday French, on commonly means we:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| On part demain. | We're leaving tomorrow. |
| On mange à huit heures. | We're eating at eight. |
| On habite à Paris. | We live in Paris. |
The verb remains singular even when on means we:
on + third-person singular verb
This pattern appears in common forms such as on parle, on va, and on est.
On can also refer to people in general rather than to a specific group:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Ici, on parle français. | People speak French here. |
| En France, on mange souvent du pain. | In France, people often eat bread. |
| On ne sait jamais. | You never know. |
The surrounding context usually makes the meaning of on clear.
Tu vs. vous
French has two subject pronouns for English you. Tu addresses one person in a familiar relationship, while vous addresses more than one person or one person in a more formal or polite relationship.
The verb form changes with the pronoun:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Tu habites ici ? | Do you live here? |
| Vous habitez ici ? | Do you live here? |
| Tu veux un café ? | Do you want a coffee? |
| Vous voulez un café ? | Do you want a coffee? |
Tu is common with friends, family members, children, and people who have an informal relationship.
Vous is required when speaking to more than one person. It is also common with one person when the relationship is formal, distant, or not yet familiar.
The choice between tu and vous depends on the relationship and situation. Age, workplace conventions, region, and social setting can all affect which form feels appropriate.
From learning to practice
In conversation, listen for the pronoun immediately before a conjugated verb. Everyday plans and introductions are especially useful for noticing on, while conversations between strangers, friends, and groups can help you hear the difference between tu and vous.