French I - Midterm Review - Subject Pronouns

I

Answer explanation

Je or J' means I

You (familiar and singular)

Answer explanation

Tu means you when talking to someone on a first-name basis (even if you don't know their first name just yet); tu can only be used when talking to ONE person

He or masculine It

Answer explanation

Il means he or it when referring to a singular, masculine noun such as the desk (le bureau)

She or feminine It

Answer explanation

Elle means she or it when referring to a feminine singular noun, such as the tv (la télé)

We

Answer explanation

We can be the word Nous or the word On. Nous is used when you want to be more proper or formal, such as when giving a speech or writing a paper. On is used more in everyday speaking or when you are talking about an unspecified group of people (people in general).

You (formal or plural)

Answer explanation

Vous is used when speaking to someone to whom you want to show respect. Typically, these are people with a title such as Mrs., Mr., Dr., etc.

Vous is also used anytime you are talking to more than one person, even if you are on a first-name basis with them.

They (masculine or mixed group)

Answer explanation

Ils is used to refer to a group of nouns where at least one is masculine/male.

They (all feminine group)

Answer explanation

Elles is used to refer to a group of nouns where all of them are feminine/female

We (informal or non-specific), You (non-specific), They (non-specific), One, Someone, People in general

Answer explanation

On is used to refer to non-specific people in general ("They say that this restaurant is good" or "You should always go to bed early.") On is also used in everyday speaking to mean we.

Which of the following is NOT one of the meanings of the subject pronoun "On"?

• we

• you

• they

• he/she/it