12.6.2

Emphatic Pronouns

Test yourself

Me, Him, Them

As the name 'emphatic pronouns' suggests, these are used to add emphasis to a sentence. Emphatic pronouns can only refer to people.

Illustrative background for <b>Vous</b> - you (plural)Illustrative background for <b>Vous</b> - you (plural) ?? "content

Vous - you (plural)

  • Vous can also mean you in the singular if used in a formal setting.

Stressed Pronouns

Illustrative background for How are stressed pronouns used?Illustrative background for How are stressed pronouns used? ?? "content

How are stressed pronouns used?

  • To emphasize the subject, repeat the subject pronoun either after 'c'est' and 'ce sont', or on its own.
    • Toi, tu as raison.
      • You, (yes you), are right.
    • Moi! C'est moi qui parle.
      • Me! It is me who is speaking.
    • C'est moi qui l'ai mangé
      • It's me who ate it.
    • Ce sont eux qui ont demandé
      • It is them who asked.
Illustrative background for Acting as the subjectIllustrative background for Acting as the subject ?? "content

Acting as the subject

  • When the verb is implied.
    • Nous faisons de la planche à voile, mais eux pas du tout.
      • We do windsurfing, but they don't (do it) at all.
Illustrative background for ComparisonIllustrative background for Comparison ?? "content

Comparison

  • When you are comparing people you need to use the emphatic pronouns.
    • Il est plus gros que moi.
      • He is fatter than me.
    • Elle est plus grande que toi.
      • She is taller than you.
Illustrative background for Giving positive instructionsIllustrative background for Giving positive instructions ?? "content

Giving positive instructions

  • Giving positive instructions (i.e. telling someone to do something) involves using the imperative. The imperative follows a specific order:
  • Verb + hyphen + emphatic pronoun.
    • Donne-lui le stylo!
      • Give him the pen.
    • Suivez-moi!
      • Follow me.
Illustrative background for After prepositionsIllustrative background for After prepositions ?? "content

After prepositions

  • Je vais avec lui.
    • I'm going with him.
  • Elle a acheté les vêtements pour eux.
    • She bought the clothes for them.
Illustrative background for Yourself, myselfIllustrative background for Yourself, myself ?? "content

Yourself, myself

  • To talk about doing something for yourself, you need to use the emphatic pronouns.
    • Chacun pour soi.
      • Every man for himself.
    • Je peux le faire moi-même.
      • I can do it myself.

Jump to other topics

1The Changing Nature of Family

2The 'cyber-society'

3The Place of Voluntary Work

4Diverse Society

5The Marginalised

6How Criminals Are Treated

7A Culture Proud of its Heritage

8Cinema: the 7th Art Form

9Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power?

10Politics & Immigration

11Conjugation & Use of Tenses

11.1Present Tense

11.2Perfect Tense

11.3Imperfect Tense

11.4Future Tense

11.5Conditional Tense

11.6Future Perfect Tense

11.7Conditional Perfect Tense

11.8Pluperfect Tense

12Extra Grammar

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson