Ok, There seems to be some confusion with Ce, C'est, andCe(t). The book doesn't go into a whole lot of detail, so let'stry to clear up a few things.
Ce
Ce is a neutral, demonstrative pronoun. You use it to mean he,she, or it. when the subject noun (or noun phrase) follows theverb être. (For verbs other than êtreyou would use ceci, or cela. Don't worry about them now. We will cover them later.) Ce does not replace the noun phrase, but merelyoccupies the empty subject position - so, ce has no gender or number. It can be either singular or plural; masculine or feminine.
Ex: Ce sont Paul and Louise.It's Paul and Louise.
C'est mon meilleur ami.It's my best friend.
Ce sont des arbres énormes.They are enormous trees.
But, when a word referring to nationality, religion, or profession followsêtre, that word functions as an adjective and you must usean appropriate subject pronoun (il, ils, elle, or elles).
Ex: Elle est médecinShe's a doctor..
Il est juif.He is Jewish.
Ils sont français.They are French.
However, when such a word is modified and forms a noun phrase which functionsas the subject of the sentence, you must use ce.
Ex: Ce sont des mécaniciens experts.They are expert mechanics.
C'est mon avocate.She's my lawyer.
You could use ce in the following instances:
1. Before a proper noun.
Ex: Voilà un jeune homme. C'est André Pierron.
There's a young man. It's André Pierron.
2. Before a superlative.
Ex: Ce sont les meilleures cerises de la ville.
These are the best cherries in the city.
3. Before an infinitive.
Ex: Le problème c'est de savoir où commencer.
The problem is to know where to begin.
Now, I can hear the questions coming: "How do you know when to useC'est and Il est...?
Both il (elle) est and c'est can mean he (she / it / that)is. However, the two constructions are not interchangeable. Thereare certain grammatical situations that require choosing between il (elle)est and c'est. They are outlined below.
Il (elle) est + adjective referring to a specific person or thing.
Ex: J'aime ce vin. Il est bon.
Je préfère cette chaise. Elle est confortable.
Il (elle) est + unmodified noun or profession, nationality, or religion.
Ex: Il est professeur.
Elle est française.
Il est protestant.
These distinctions also apply to ils (elles) sont and cesont.
Note that the indefinite article is omitted before unmodified mouns ofprofession, nationality, or religious persuasion. When used to categorizea person as to profession, nationality, or religious persuasion, these nounshave the value of descriptive adjectives and therefore follow the same patternas il est bon or elle est excellente. It is for this samereason that such nouns are not capitalized. (A noun indicating a nationalityis usually capitalized: une Française. Adjectives of nationalityare not: Elle est français.
Ce, Cet, Cette, Ces
Ce, Cet, Cette, and Ces are demonstrative adjectives. They can mean this, that, these, or those. You use themas follows:
Ce
You use ce before a singular, masculine noun that begins with aconsonant:
Ex: Ce garçon est beau.
Ce livre est vert.
Cet
You use cet before a singular, masculine noun that begins with avowel or a silent h.
Ex: Cet homme est intelligent.
Cet arbre est grand.
Cette
You use cette before a singular, feminine noun. The noun can beginwith a vowel or a consonant, it doesn't matter. You would still use cette.
Ex: Cette fille est belle.
Cette église est vieille. (église =church)
Ces
You use ces before a plural noun. The noun can be either masculineor feminine; they both use ces in the plural.
Ex: Ces hommes sont beaux.
Ces filles sont belles.
