*The reflexive and object pronouns me and te sometimes take on their stressed forms moi and toi in the imperative.

** “ils” is used for all-male or mixed groups, while “elles”is used for all-female groups.

Emphatic pronouns

There are so-called emphatic – or stressed –  pronouns in French, which are used e.g for emphasis, after prepositions or on their own without a verb.

No ham for me, thank you.

Pas de jambon pour moi, merci.

The pain au chocolat, that’s for you.

Le pain au chocolat, c’est pour toi. 

He clearly would like some jam.

Lui, il veut de la confiture.

I’m going to the restaurant with her.

Je vais au restaurant avec elle. 

 

Emphatic pronouns are also used in comparison:

As for me, I’m in a hotel, and you, you’re in hostel.

Moi, je suis dans un hôtel et toi, dans une auberge.

The guys are at the hotel, while the girls are at the beach.

Eux, ils sont à l’hôtel et elles, elles sont à la plage.

 

There is a growing tendency on social media and when meeting people in informal situations to ask “What are your pronouns?” or “Which pronouns do you use?” (Quels sont tes pronoms ?/ Quels pronoms utilises-tu ?).

Possible Answers:

My pronouns are he/him/his.

Mes pronoms sont il/lui.

My pronouns are she/her.

Mes pronoms sont elle/elle.

My pronouns are they/them/their.

Mes pronoms sont iel/ellui.