ils / elles

Third-person Plural Ils and Elles

Level 1

Ils and elles both mean 'they.' Ils is used for groups of men, masculine objects, or mixed-gender groups. Elles is used only for groups of women or feminine objects.

How It Works

In French, the third-person plural subject pronouns are divided by gender:

  • Ils (They): Used for a group of males (les garçons) or masculine objects (les stylos). Crucially, it is also used for mixed groups. If a group has 100 women and 1 man, you must use ils.
  • Elles (They): Used exclusively for groups that are entirely female (les filles) or feminine objects (les tables).

Pronunciation and Liaison:
In most cases, the final 's' in ils and elles is silent (pronounced [il] and [el]). However, when the following verb starts with a vowel or a silent 'h', you must perform a liaison. The 's' then sounds like a [z].
Example: Ils ont is pronounced [il-z-on].

Verb Agreement:
These pronouns always take the third-person plural verb form, which typically ends in -ent (though this ending is usually silent in speech).

Examples (5)

  1. Marc et Julie sont là ; ils mangent une pizza.

    Marc and Julie are here; they are eating a pizza.

    Word by Word: Marc and Julie are there; they eat a pizza.

    Since the group (Marc and Julie) is mixed, the masculine pronoun 'ils' is used.

  2. Où sont mes clés ? Elles sont sur la table.

    Where are my keys? They are on the table.

    Word by Word: Where are my keys? They are on the table.

    Because 'clés' (keys) is a feminine noun in French, we use 'elles' to refer to them.

  3. Mes frères habitent à Lyon ; ils arrivent demain.

    My brothers live in Lyon; they arrive tomorrow.

    Word by Word: My brothers live at Lyon; they arrive tomorrow.

    We use 'ils' because 'frères' (brothers) is a masculine plural noun.

  4. Marie et Sophie sont sœurs ; elles sont très gentilles.

    Marie and Sophie are sisters; they are very kind.

    Word by Word: Marie and Sophie are sisters; they are very kind.

    We use 'elles' because the group consists only of females.

  5. Ils aiment le chocolat.

    They like chocolate.

    Word by Word: They love the chocolate.

    Note the liaison: the 's' in 'ils' is pronounced as a [z] because 'aiment' starts with a vowel.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'elles' for a group that is mostly female but contains one male.

    Marie, Julie, et Pierre ? Elles sont étudiantes.
    Marie, Julie, et Pierre ? Ils sont étudiants.

    In French grammar, the masculine gender takes precedence. If there is even one male in the group, you must use 'ils'.

  • Pronouncing the '-ent' at the end of the verb.

    Ils parlent (pronounced par-lent).
    Ils parlent (pronounced parl).

    The third-person plural verb ending '-ent' is almost always silent. Beginners often mistakenly pronounce it.

  • Using 'ils' for all objects regardless of gender.

    Les voitures ? Ils sont rouges.
    Les voitures ? Elles sont rouges.

    Objects in French have gender. Since 'voiture' is feminine, you must use 'elles' when referring to multiple cars.

How It Connects

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ils / ellesLevel 1Third-person Plural Ils and Elles

Learn This First

To use 'ils' and 'elles' correctly, you must first understand the French two-gender system, as 'ils' is used for masculine or mixed groups while 'elles' is strictly for feminine groups. Familiarity with the singular forms 'il' and 'elle' provides the necessary foundation for these plural versions.

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ilselles