ce vs il/elle

Question 1

to identify people or things when responding to the questions, qu’est-ce que c’est or qui est-ce?

Answer 1

ce
ex. Qui est-ce? Oh, c’est ma soeur

Question 2

to make a general comment rather than a specific reference

Answer 2

ce
ex. Marc n’est pas ici? C’est bizzare!

Question 3

to state nationality, profession, or religion when such words are modified

Answer 3

ce
ex. C’est un musulman

Question 4

to introduce a noun which is preceded by an article or possessive word

Answer 4

ce
ex. C’est mon père

Question 5

to introduce a pronoun

Answer 5

ce
ex. C’est moi

Question 6

to introduce a proper noun

Answer 6

ce
ex. C’est le lycée Troy

Question 7

to offset an idea or place emphasis

Answer 7

ce
ex. La plus grande ville au Michigan, c’est Detroit

Question 8

to talk about a preceding idea in informal style

Answer 8

ce
ex. nager dans notre piscine maintenant, c’est illlogique!

Question 9

to describe people or things with adjectives or prepositional phrases

Answer 9

il
ex. il est sportif

Question 10

to state nationality, profession, or religion with no article included

Answer 10

il
ex. il est catholique

Question 11

to speak in formal style about things

Answer 11

il
ex. il est important de faire ses devoirs

Question 12

to refer directly back to a previously brought up/mentioned noun

Answer 12

il