In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

Laura C.A1Kwiziq community member

In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

Asked 7 years ago
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Laura ! "Il y a" means "there are" whereas "ce sont" means "these/they are": "Il y a des chiens ici." (There are dogs here.) "Ce sont des chiens." (These are dogs.) I hope that's helpful! À bientôt !
Laura C.A1Kwiziq community member
merci! i am just a beginner and this distinction was not clearly presented in class.
AurélieKwiziq team member
Bonjour Laura ! Here are links to our two related lessons :) Il y a = There is/There are in French C'est, ce sont = this is, these are (French Demonstrative Pronouns) Bonne chance !

In the sentences above "Il y a des chiens", why Il ya and not ce sont since "des chiens" is plural?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...