What are Subject Pronouns?
Subject pronouns are words that replace a noun when it's the subject—the doer of the action. In French, the six main subject pronouns are je (I), tu (you informal), il/elle (he/she), nous (we), vous (you formal or plural), and ils/elles (they). Each pronoun pairs with its own verb conjugation.
Subject pronouns replace nouns as the doer of a verb: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles. They are essential because French verb endings change based on which pronoun is used.
- •je (I) — 'je vais' (I go)
- •tu (you, informal) — 'tu vas' (you go)
- •il/elle/on (he/she/one) — 'il va' (he goes)
- •nous (we) — 'nous allons' (we go)
- •vous (you, formal/plural) — 'vous allez' (you go)
- •ils/elles (they) — 'ils vont' (they go)
Step-by-step worked examples
Complete with the correct subject pronoun: '_____ suis français.' (I am French.)
The verb 'suis' is conjugated for first person singular. The subject pronoun is 'je'. Answer: Je suis français.
What subject pronoun goes with 'allez'? (you go — formal or plural)
'Allez' is the vous form of 'aller'. Vous = you formal or you plural. Answer: Vous allez.
Rewrite using the pronoun 'ils': 'Pierre et Marie jouent au tennis.'
Pierre et Marie = they (two people) The third-person plural pronoun is 'ils'. Answer: Ils jouent au tennis.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Which pronoun goes with the verb form 'parlons'?
Q2.Complete: '_____ sommes étudiantes.' (We are students — feminine plural.)
Q3.What is the polite way to address one person in French?
Q4.Which subject pronoun typically implies 'they are all male' or mixed group?
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Common mistakes
Using 'tu' with strangers or authority figures. — Correct: Use 'vous' for formal address or people you don't know well; 'tu' for friends and peers.
Leaving out the subject pronoun: '__ vais à Paris' (I'm going to Paris.) — Correct: French always requires it: 'Je vais à Paris.' Pronouns cannot be omitted.
Confusing 'on' with 'nous' — they're the same. — Correct: 'On' is informal/colloquial for 'we'; 'nous' is formal 'we'. Both conjugate differently from other pronouns.
Using 'ils' only for all-male groups. — Correct: 'Ils' is the default for mixed-gender or all-male groups; 'elles' only for all-female.
FAQ
What are French subject pronouns?
Words that replace nouns as the subject: je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles. Required before every verb.
What is the difference between 'tu' and 'vous'?
'Tu' is informal singular (friend); 'vous' is formal singular or any plural (strangers, bosses, groups).
Do French verbs change based on the subject pronoun?
Yes — each pronoun triggers a unique conjugation. 'Je suis' vs. 'tu es' vs. 'il est' — different endings.
Can you drop the subject pronoun in French like in Spanish?
No — French always requires the subject pronoun. 'Vais à Paris' is incomplete; must be 'Je vais à Paris.'