French grammar - Stressed pronouns - for emphasis and abbreviation

Stressed pronouns - for emphasis and abbreviation

In the previous topic we saw how stressed pronouns are used after certain prepositions and conjunctions.

Stressed pronouns (also called emphatic pronouns) are also used:

• To emphasize identity in speech. Like we use 'As for me' in English. This is used in French much more than in English.

-- Often this emphasis is affected using c'est + + qui.

• To abbreviate - to act as the subject when the verb is implied - especially when answering questions.

Examples:
	Moi, j'adore voyager. Me, I like to travel.
	C'est lui qui a dit ça. It is he who said that.
	Moi, je suis toujours à l'heure. Me, I am always on time.
	Moi, j'adore les cerises, mais elle, elle préfère les fraises. Me, I love cherries, but she prefers strawberries.
	Lui, il aime partir tout seul, mais moi, j'aime beaucoup voyager en groupe. He, he likes to go alone, but me, I really like traveling in a group.
	Toi et lui, vous êtes très gentils. You (familiar) and him, you are very nice.
	Je pense qu'il a raison. Moi, je pense qu'il a tort. I think he's right. Me, I think he's wrong.
	Je les ai vus - lui et elle. I saw them - him and her.
	C'est toi qui étudies l'art. You (familiar) are the one who is studying art.
	Ce sont elles qui aiment Paris. It is they who love Paris.
	Qui a fait ça ? Moi. Who did this? Me (I did).
	Qui est là ? Moi. Who is there? Me (it is me).
	Qui va à la plage ? Lui. Who goes to the beach? Him (he is).
	J'ai faim, et toi ? I'm hungry, and you (familiar)?