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Impersonal expressions are those which do not have a specific subject. In grammatical terms, "impersonal" does not mean cold, but rather invariable by grammatical person. There are a few things you need to know about French impersonal expressions: The French impersonal subject is either il or ce, whereas the English impersonal subject is "it."

All of the French impersonal expressions can begin with il est or c'est with no difference in meaning; however, c'est is less formal than il est. Therefore, c'est is more common in spoken French, while il est is more common in written French.
The French impersonal subject is either il or ce, whereas the English impersonal subject is "it."

All of the French impersonal expressions can begin with il est or c'est with no difference in meaning; however, c'est is less formal than il est. Therefore, c'est is more common in spoken French, while il est is more common in written French.
There are essentially two different types of constructions with impersonal expressions - either they are followed by que and a subordinate clause, or they are followed by a preposition and infinitive.

1. With que - When using il est or c'est + adjective followed by que, the verb in the subordinate clause may need to be in the indicative or subjunctive, depending on the meaning of the impersonal expression:

   Il est probable que David le fait / C'est probable que David le fait.
   It's probable that David is doing it.

   Il est possible que David le fasse / C'est possible que David le fasse.
   It's possible that David is doing it.


2. Without que - In expressions with il est or c'est + adjective followed by a preposition and infinitive, the choice of preposition depends on the type of subject:

a) When the impersonal subject is a dummy subject, you need the preposition de, and there are two possible constructions:

   impersonal expression + de + intransitive infinitive
   Il est difficile de parler / C'est difficile de parler.
   It's hard to speak. (Speaking is hard)

      or

   impersonal expression + de + transitive infinitive + direct object
   Il est important de dire la vérité / C'est important de dire la vérité.
   It's important to tell the truth.


b) When the impersonal subject is a real subject and the infinitive is used intransitively as a passive infinitive, you must use the preposition à:

   Il est bon à savoir / C'est bon à savoir.
   That's good to know.

   Il est difficile à faire / C'est difficile à faire.
   That's hard to do.

There are dozens of French impersonal expressions; to learn how to use them, go back to page 1.

Many impersonal expressions require the subjunctive. To find out which ones, check The Subjunctivator!


Il est bizarre / C'est bizarre
It's odd

Il est bon / C'est bon
It's good

Il est certain / C'est certain
It's certain

Il est clair / C'est clair
It's clear/obvious

Il est convenable / C'est convenable
It's proper/fitting

Il est difficile / C'est difficile
It's difficult

Il est dommage / C'est dommage
It's too bad

Il est douteux / C'est douteux
It's doubtful

Il est essentiel / C'est essentiel
It's essential

Il est étonnant / C'est étonnant
It's amazing

Il est étrange / C'est étrange
It's strange

Il est évident  / C'est évident
It's obvious

Il est facile / C'est facile
It's easy

Il est faux / C'est faux
It's false

Il est heureux / C'est heureux
It's fortunate

Il est honteux / C'est honteux
It's shameful

Il est important / C'est important
It's important

Il est impossible / C'est impossible
It's impossible

Il est improbable / C'est improbable
It's improbable

Il est indispensable / C'est indispensable
It's essential

Il est injuste / C'est injuste
It's unfair

Il est inutile / C'est inutile
It's useless

Il est juste / C'est juste
It's right/fair

Il est naturel / C'est naturel
It's natural

Il est nécessaire / C'est nécessaire
It's necessary

Il est normal / C'est normal
It's normal

Il est obligatoire / C'est obligatoire
It's necessary

Il est peu probable / C'est peu probable
It's not likely

Il est possible / C'est possible
It's possible

Il est probable / C'est probable
It's probable

Il est rare / C'est rare
It's rare

Il est regrettable / C'est regrettable
It's regrettable

Il est sûr / C'est sûr
It's sure/certain

Il est surprenant / C'est surprenant
It's surprising

Il est temps / C'est temps
It's time

Il est triste / C'est triste
It's sad

Il est urgent / C'est urgent
It's urgent

Il est utile / C'est utile
It's useful

Il est vrai / C'est vrai
It's true