The difference between ses, ces, s'est, c'est and sais/sait

14 nov. 2017 08:32 - language-swap

Niveau intermédiaire plus

The words “ces” (these, those), “ses” (his/her), “c'est” (it is), “s'est” and “sais/sait” (know/knows) are French homonyms but DO NOT have the same meaning.

“Ces” is a demonstrative adjective that is used to show something. French use “ces” when it can be replaced by “cet, ce,...” (this, that) even though it has a plural meaning.
Example:
Ces chevaux mangent de l'herbe.
Ce cheval mange de l'herbe.

The word “ses” is a possessive adjective that refers to the third person plural. It can be replaced by “son, sa”.
Example:
Ses cheveux son sales.
Sa chevelure est sale.

“C'est” is a contraction of the words “ce” and “est” and familiarly replaces “ceci est, cela est”. It is used to present or announce something.
Example:
C'est ma mère qui l'a fait.

While “s'est” is a contraction of the words “se” and 'est” and is ALWAYS followed by a past participle. It can be replaced by “je me suis…”.
Example:
Justin s'est trompé.
Je me suis trompé.

“Sais/sait” are the verb “savoir” (to know) conjugated at the second and third person singular at the present tense.
Example:
Tu sais que j'aime les gateaux.
Il sait que j'aime les gateaux.