French grammar - Using ce as a personal pronoun

Using ce as a personal pronoun

We previously saw the particle ce used in the pattern c'est where it means 'this' or 'that'.

In additional to referring to inanimate objects ce can also be used like a personal pronoun - just like il (he) and elle (she).

-- But it can be used in this way only before an indefinite article: un, une and des.

The plural form ce sont ('they are') is also used and should be followed by des (or de if immediately followed by an adjective as per the previous topic).

Examples:
	C'est une jolie femme. She is a pretty woman.
	C'est un beau garçon. He is a beautiful boy.
	C'est un boulanger. He is a baker.
	C'est une bonne élève. She is a good pupil. élève (m.f) means 'pupil' or 'student'
	Ce sont des hommes courageux. They are brave men. courageux (m) means 'brave' or 'courageous'
	Ce sont des Français. They are French. Français (m) means 'French person' (not capitalized for a noun)
	Ce sont de nouveaux enseignants. They are new teachers. enseignant (m) means 'teacher' des ⇒ de because it is followed by an adjective
	Ce sont de bons amis. They are good friends. des ⇒ de because it is followed by an adjective
	C'est une chanteuse exceptionnelle. She is an exceptional singer. chanteur (m) means 'singer' exceptionnel (m) means 'exceptional'
	C'est une journaliste célèbre. She is a famous journalist. journaliste (m.f) means 'journalist' célèbre (m.f) means 'famous'
	C'est un grand écrivain. He is a great writer. écrivain (m) means 'writer'