B2 Pronouns 14 min read Easy

French Neutral Pronouns: This and That (ceci, cela, ça)

Use ça for daily talk and cela for writing to refer to abstract concepts without gender agreement.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'ceci' for what's near, 'cela' for what's far, and 'ça' for everything else in casual speech.

  • Ceci refers to something just mentioned or about to be mentioned: 'Ceci est important.'
  • Cela is the formal version of 'that' for distant or abstract concepts: 'Cela me plaît.'
  • Ça is the universal, informal replacement for 'cela' in almost all spoken contexts: 'Ça va?'
Ceci (Near) | Cela (Far/Formal) | Ça (Universal/Informal)

Overview

At the B2 level, your command of French allows for nuanced expression beyond simple object identification. You're ready to discuss abstract ideas, entire situations, and concepts that don't have a neat, gendered noun attached. This is the domain of French neutral demonstrative pronouns: ceci, cela, and its informal variant ça.

Unlike specific demonstrative pronouns like celui (the one) or laquelle (which one), which must replace a specific, gendered noun (le livre -> celui-ci), neutral pronouns point to something indefinite or a whole clause. They are the grammatical tools for saying 'this thing,' 'that idea,' or 'this situation' without explicitly naming it.

Think of them as pointers for concepts. If a friend tells you they're quitting their job to become a circus performer, your reaction—'That's surprising!'—doesn't refer to the job or the circus, but to the entire statement. In French, this 'that' is cela or ça.

These pronouns are grammatically considered masculine singular for agreement purposes, but they are 'neutral' in that they don't refer to a noun with inherent gender. Mastering their usage, particularly the distinction between the formal cela and the ubiquitous ça, is a key indicator of fluency and adaptability across different social and professional registers.

Your primary task is to navigate the spectrum of formality. Ça is the high-frequency, all-purpose pronoun of spoken French and casual communication. Cela is its formal counterpart, reserved for writing, professional speech, and academic contexts.

Ceci is the most specialized of the three, used primarily to introduce a new topic or for a direct, physical contrast. Understanding this hierarchy is not just a grammar rule; it's an act of social and contextual awareness.

How This Grammar Works

Grammatically, ceci, cela, and ça function as independent pronouns. This means they can stand on their own as the subject or object of a verb. Their core purpose is to replace an antecedent that is not a simple noun, but rather an idea, a proposition, or an unstated 'thing'.
As the subject of a verb, their behavior differs slightly. The pronoun ce is the standard impersonal subject for the verb être in its most common constructions: C'est incroyable (It's incredible). However, for emphasis or in more formal contexts, cela can also act as the subject of être.
The distinction is one of nuance; C'est vrai is a simple statement of fact, whereas Cela est vrai carries a more deliberate, confirmatory weight, as if to say 'That point you just made is indeed true.'
With all other verbs, ça or cela must be used as the subject. You cannot say *Ce marche. You must say Ça marche (That works) or, more formally, Cela fonctionne (That functions). This is a critical distinction that often trips up learners.
  • Ça commence à 20h. (It starts at 8 PM.)
  • Cela m'inquiète beaucoup. (That worries me a lot.)
  • Prendre le train au lieu de l'avion, ça pollue moins. (Taking the train instead of the plane, that pollutes less.)
As a direct object (COD) or indirect object (COI), they receive the action of the verb. They refer to 'that thing' or 'that idea' which is being acted upon. In this role, they almost always follow the verb, which is a departure from the typical placement of personal pronouns (je le vois).
  • Direct Object: Je ne comprends pas cela. (I don't understand that.)
  • Direct Object: Tu aimes ça ? (You like this/that?)
  • Object of a preposition: Il faut réfléchir à cela. (We must think about that.)
  • Object of a preposition: Je ne suis pas d'accord avec ça. (I don't agree with that.)
One of their most powerful functions is replacing an entire clause. This allows for more elegant and concise sentence structures, avoiding repetition. The pronoun acts as a summary of the preceding or following thought.
  • Tu as menti à tout le monde. Cela est impardonnable. (You lied to everyone. That is unforgivable.) - Cela replaces the entire idea of 'you lied to everyone'.
  • Qu'il n'ait rien dit, ça m'étonne. (That he said nothing, that surprises me.) - Ça refers to the clause 'Qu'il n'ait rien dit'.
For agreement, remember that these pronouns are treated as masculine singular. Any past participle that needs to agree with them (for example, in a pronominal construction where the pronoun is the direct object) will take the masculine singular -é ending.
  • L'histoire qu'il a racontée était compliquée, mais je l'ai comprise. (The story he told was complicated, but I understood it.) - l' is feminine singular, referring to l'histoire.
  • Ce qu'il a raconté était compliqué, mais je l'ai compris. (What he told was complicated, but I understood it.) - Here, l' conceptually represents ce qu'il a raconté, which is a neutral idea, so the agreement is masculine singular.

Formation Pattern

1
The logic behind ceci and cela is transparent once you understand their components. They are compound pronouns formed from the base ce and adverbial particles indicating location.
2
Base Pronoun: The foundation is ce, an indeterminate demonstrative pronoun that means 'it,' 'this,' or 'that.'
3
Locative Suffixes: French attaches suffixes to distinguish proximity.
4
-ci, derived from the adverb ici (here), denotes something close to the speaker in space, time, or discourse.
5
-là (there) denotes something further from the speaker.
6
This creates a straightforward pattern:
7
ce + ici → ceci (this here, this thing)
8
ce + là → cela (that there, that thing)
9
The pronoun ça is a direct, colloquial contraction of cela. This evolution occurred naturally in spoken French for efficiency. The e in cela became unstressed, the /l/ sound was dropped (a process called elision), and the letter c required a cedilla (ç) before the a to preserve the soft /s/ sound. Without the cedilla, ca would be pronounced /ka/.
10
| Formal Pronoun | Formation | Informal Contraction | Phonetic Reason |
11
|----------------|--------------------|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------|
12
| cela | ce (that) + là (there) | ça | Elision of /l/ for speed; cedilla preserves /s/ sound. |
13
| ceci | ce (this) + ici (here) | (none) | ceci is used too infrequently to have developed a contraction. |
14
This formation helps explain their core meaning. Ceci points 'here'—to something I am about to say or an object in my hand. Cela points 'there'—to something you just said or an object across the room. Ça, having inherited its DNA from cela, primarily serves the 'that' function in modern French.

When To Use It

Choosing the correct neutral pronoun is almost entirely dependent on register (formality) and discourse function (proximity/contrast). While ça is the default in most conversations, a B2 learner must command all three to navigate different situations appropriately.
Use ça for:
This is the workhorse pronoun for nearly all informal and standard spoken French. If you are speaking with friends, family, colleagues, or in most day-to-day service encounters, ça is your safest and most natural choice.
  • As a subject: Ça va ? (How's it going?), Ça sent bon ! (That smells good!), Ça m'est égal. (It's all the same to me.)
  • As an object: Je veux ça. (I want that.), Tu te souviens de ça ? (Do you remember that?)
  • In common expressions: C'est ça. (That's it.), Ça y est. (It's done.), Ça marche. (That works / Deal.)
Use cela for:
Cela is the formal equivalent of ça. Its use is a strong signal of a higher register. You will use it in professional, academic, or administrative contexts.
  • Formal Writing: Essays, reports, business correspondence, scientific articles. Cela permet de conclure que... (This allows us to conclude that...)
  • Formal Speeches: Public addresses, presentations, political discourse. Cela représente un défi majeur pour notre génération. (That represents a major challenge for our generation.)
  • Referring to a Previous Idea: In sophisticated writing, cela is preferred for referring back to a complex idea just mentioned. Le Premier ministre a annoncé une nouvelle série de réformes économiques. Cela a provoqué un débat intense au Parlement. (The Prime Minister announced a new series of economic reforms. That provoked an intense debate in Parliament.)
Use ceci for:
Ceci is the least common of the three and has a much narrower set of uses. Using it correctly demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of French.
  • Introducing a New Topic or Statement: Ceci acts as a forward-looking pointer. It signals to the listener: 'pay attention to what I am about to say.' Retenez bien ceci : le projet doit être terminé avant vendredi. (Remember this well: the project must be finished before Friday.)
  • Referring to Something Physically Close: While ça can also be used, ceci provides a more precise way to refer to an object at hand, especially in contrast to another object. Je ne veux pas cela, je veux ceci. (I don't want that one, I want this one.)
  • The Contrastive Pair ceci... cela...: In formal language, this pair is used to mean 'the latter... the former...' or to contrast two distinct points or objects. Ceci est en métal, cela est en plastique. (This one is metal, that one is plastic.) It can also contrast ideas: Les optimistes pensent que la technologie nous sauvera ; les pessimistes craignent le contraire. Ceci explique l'espoir, cela la peur. (Optimists think technology will save us; pessimists fear the opposite. The latter explains hope, the former fear.) Note the inverted order: ceci refers to the closer idea (pessimists), cela to the more distant one (optimists).
| Register / Use Case | ça (Informal) | cela (Formal) | ceci (Formal/Specific) |
|----------------------------|:---------------:|:---------------:|:------------------------:|
| Casual Conversation | Yes (Default) | No (too stiff) | No (too archaic) |
| Texting / Social Media | Yes (Always) | No | No |
| Formal Speech / Presentation| No | Yes (Default) | Yes (for introductions) |
| Academic / Business Writing| No | Yes (Default) | Yes (for contrast) |
| Introducing a new idea | Ça, c'est... | Cela est... | Yes (Écoutez ceci...) |
| Referring to a past idea | Yes | Yes (Preferred) | No |
| Pointing at an object | Yes (Default) | Rare | Yes (for contrast) |

Common Mistakes

Navigating these pronouns involves avoiding several common traps. Recognizing them will help you refine your usage and sound more natural.
  1. 1Confusing ça and sa: This is a frequent error based on homophones. Ça is a pronoun meaning 'that'. Sa is a possessive adjective meaning 'his' or 'her' and must be followed by a noun.
  • Incorrect: J'aime bien sa.
  • Correct: J'aime bien ça. (I like that.)
  • Correct: J'aime bien sa voiture. (I like his/her car.)
  1. 1Using ce instead of ça/cela as a subject: Learners internalize c'est and overgeneralize it. Remember, ce is primarily a subject for être. For all other verbs, the subject must be ça or cela.
  • Incorrect: Ce me plaît.
  • Correct: Ça me plaît. (I like that.)
  • Incorrect: Ce fonctionne bien.
  • Correct: Cela fonctionne bien. (That works well.)
  1. 1Overusing ceci in conversation: In modern spoken French, ceci is rare. Using it outside of its specific introductory or contrastive roles can make you sound like a textbook or even comically formal. For pointing at a nearby object, ça is almost always sufficient.
  • Unnatural: Passe-moi ceci, s'il te plaît. (Hand me this, please.)
  • Natural: Passe-moi ça, s'il te plaît.
  1. 1Confusing Neutral vs. Specific Demonstratives: This is a core conceptual error. Use ça/cela/ceci for ideas or unnamed things. Use celui/celle/ceux/celles to replace a specific, already-mentioned noun.
| Situation | Incorrect | Correct | Reason |
|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| Choosing between two specific books (livres, m. pl.). | Je préfère ça. | Je préfère ceux-ci. (I prefer these ones.) | Ceux replaces the specific noun livres. |
| Reacting to the idea of reading more. | J'aime bien celui. | J'aime bien ça. (I like that idea.) | Ça refers to the abstract concept of 'reading more'. |
  1. 1Forgetting Agreement with ça as a Preceding COD: This is an advanced mistake. When ça (or l' representing ça) is a direct object placed before the verb in a compound tense, the past participle must agree with it in masculine singular.
  • Incorrect: L'interdiction de fumer ici ? Le gouvernement l'a décidée l'an dernier.
  • Correct: L'interdiction de fumer ici ? Le gouvernement l'a décidé l'an dernier. (The smoking ban here? The government decided it last year.) - l' refers to the general concept, which is neutral (masc. sing.).

Real Conversations

Observing these pronouns in authentic contexts is the best way to internalize their use. Notice how ça dominates informal speech, while cela appears in more structured settings.

E

Example 1

Text Message Exchange

> Aline: Salut ! T'es dispo pour un ciné ce soir ? Ils passent le nouveau film de Dupontel.

> Marc: Ah, ça me dit bien ! À quelle heure ?

> Aline: La séance est à 20h30. Ça te va ?

> Marc: Parfait. On se retrouve là-bas ?

O

Observation

In this rapid, informal exchange, ça is used exclusively. Using cela would be completely out of place.*
E

Example 2

At a Flea Market (Brocante)

> Customer: (Pointing to an old lamp) Bonjour, combien pour ça ?

> Vendor: Cette lampe ? 30 euros. Elle fonctionne parfaitement.

> Customer: Hmm, c'est un peu cher. Je peux vous en donner 20.

> Vendor: Non, ça ne va pas être possible. Allez, 25 et c'est à vous.

O

Observation

Ça is the natural choice for pointing and for referring to an idea (like a proposed price).*
E

Example 3

Formal Business Email

> Subject: Compte-rendu de la réunion

>

> Cher Monsieur Durand,

>

> Veuillez trouver ci-joint le compte-rendu de notre réunion du 15 mars. Comme nous l'avons évoqué, le projet X fait face à des retards imprévus. Cela nécessite une réévaluation de notre calendrier.

>

> Je vous propose d'organiser un point de suivi la semaine prochaine pour discuter des solutions possibles. Ceci nous permettrait d'agir rapidement.

>

> Cordialement,

> Jeanne Lemoine

O

Observation

The register is high. Cela refers back to the 'unforeseen delays.' Ceci introduces the proposed solution, looking forward. This is a classic, correct use of the formal distinction.*

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I really never use ça in an essay?

As a general rule, avoid it. Cela is the standard for academic and formal writing. The only exception might be if you are directly quoting someone's speech or analyzing informal language. In your own narrative voice, always opt for cela.

Q: Does ça ever change for feminine or plural things?

Never. It is an invariable pronoun. Whether you are pointing to one masculine object, one feminine object, or a hundred mixed objects, the pronoun remains ça. Its neutrality is its core feature. Regarde ces robes ! J'adore ça. (Look at these dresses! I love that.)

Q: Is ceci ever actually used in speech?

Yes, but rarely and for specific effects. You might hear it in a formal presentation (Ceci nous amène à notre deuxième point...), in a moment of high drama (Et alors, j'ai vu ceci ! - 'And then, I saw THIS!'), or from older speakers in certain contexts. For a learner, it's safer to reserve it for formal writing until you have a strong intuitive feel for it.

Q: What is the exact difference between ça and ce before the verb être?

Ce is the unstressed, default subject: C'est la vie. Ça is a stressed, emphatic subject: Ça, c'est une bonne idée ! (NOW that's a good idea!). Using ça before c'est adds a layer of emphasis or contrast, often drawing attention to the topic before commenting on it.

Q: Why is there a cedilla in ça?

The cedilla (ç) is a phonetic placeholder. It tells you to pronounce the c as a soft /s/ sound before the vowels a, o, or u. Ça is the contraction of cela. Without the cedilla, the word ca would be pronounced /ka/, breaking the phonetic link to its origin.

Q: Can these pronouns be used with prepositions?

Absolutely. Both ça and cela work perfectly after prepositions. Ceci is less common but also possible. For example: Je compte sur toi pour ça. (I'm counting on you for that.), Il a beaucoup parlé de cela. (He spoke a lot about that.), Il faut penser à ceci. (One must think about this.)

Neutral Pronoun Usage

Pronoun Register Proximity Usage
Ceci
Formal/Written
Near
Specific
Cela
Formal/Written
Far
Abstract
Ça
Informal/Spoken
Neutral
Universal

Meanings

These pronouns refer to abstract ideas, situations, or objects when the gender is unknown or irrelevant.

1

Immediate reference

Referring to something currently being discussed.

“Ceci est mon livre.”

“Cela semble difficile.”

2

Abstract situation

Referring to a whole event or fact.

“Ça m'énerve.”

“Cela prouve qu'il a tort.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Neutral Pronouns: This and That (ceci, cela, ça)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Pronoun + Verb
Ça va.
Negative
Pronoun + ne + verb + pas
Ça n'est pas vrai.
Question
Est-ce que + Pronoun + Verb
Est-ce que ça va ?
Contrast
Ceci... cela...
Ceci est beau, cela est laid.
Short Answer
Pronoun
C'est ça !

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Cela est intéressant.

Cela est intéressant. (Giving an opinion.)

Neutral
C'est intéressant.

C'est intéressant. (Giving an opinion.)

Informal
Ça, c'est intéressant !

Ça, c'est intéressant ! (Giving an opinion.)

Slang
Ça, c'est stylé !

Ça, c'est stylé ! (Giving an opinion.)

Neutral Pronoun Map

Neutral Pronouns

Formal

  • Ceci This
  • Cela That

Informal

  • Ça That/It
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Examples by Level

1

Ça, c'est mon ami.

That is my friend.

2

Ça va ?

How's it going?

3

C'est quoi ça ?

What is that?

4

Ça, c'est bon.

That is good.

1

Cela est vrai.

That is true.

2

Ceci est pour toi.

This is for you.

3

Ça ne me plaît pas.

That doesn't please me.

4

Je veux ça.

I want that.

1

Il a menti, et cela m'a déçu.

He lied, and that disappointed me.

2

Ceci explique pourquoi il est parti.

This explains why he left.

3

Ça m'est égal.

It's all the same to me.

4

Ne fais pas ça.

Don't do that.

1

Ceci étant dit, nous devons continuer.

That being said, we must continue.

2

Cela ne saurait tarder.

That shouldn't take long.

3

Il faut faire avec ça.

We have to deal with that.

4

Ceci est une question de principe.

This is a matter of principle.

1

Cela dit, les résultats sont mitigés.

That said, the results are mixed.

2

Ceci constitue une avancée majeure.

This constitutes a major breakthrough.

3

Ça, c'est le moins qu'on puisse dire.

That's the least one can say.

4

Il a fait cela sans réfléchir.

He did that without thinking.

1

Ceci n'est point une simple coïncidence.

This is by no means a simple coincidence.

2

Cela ne fait aucun doute.

That leaves no doubt.

3

Ça, c'est une autre paire de manches.

That's a different kettle of fish.

4

Ceci étant, il convient de noter que...

That being said, it is worth noting that...

Easily Confused

French Neutral Pronouns: This and That (ceci, cela, ça) vs Ce vs Ça

Ce is an adjective; Ça is a pronoun.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ceci est bon (in a cafe)

✓

Ça, c'est bon

Ceci is too formal for a cafe.
✗

Il est ça

✓

C'est ça

Use 'c'est' with neutral pronouns.
✗

Cela est mon livre

✓

C'est mon livre

Use 'c'est' for identification.
✗

Ceci est le cas

✓

C'est le cas

Ceci is rarely used as a subject in this phrase.

Sentence Patterns

Ça, c'est ___.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Ça va ?

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💡

Use 'ça' everywhere

Don't overthink it. 'Ça' is your best friend.

Smart Tips

Use 'cela' instead of 'ça'.

Ça est important. → Cela est important.

Pronunciation

/sa/

Ça

The 'ç' makes an 's' sound.

Question

Ça va ? ↗

Rising intonation for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Ceci is 'see-see' (close to your eyes), Cela is 'sell-a' (far away), Ça is 'sa' (the simple one for all).

Visual Association

Imagine a hand pointing to your nose (Ceci), a finger pointing to the horizon (Cela), and a big smiley face for everything else (Ça).

Rhyme

Ceci is near, Cela is far, for everything else, just use Ça.

Story

I held a gift (Ceci). I pointed to the moon (Cela). My friend asked what I was doing, and I said 'Ça, c'est la vie!' (That's life!).

Word Web

CeciCelaÇaC'estCeci-cela

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about your day using 'ça' for every situation.

Cultural Notes

French people use 'ça' constantly in conversation.

Derived from Latin 'ecce hoc' (look at this).

Conversation Starters

“

Ça va ?

Journal Prompts

Describe your day using 'ça'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

___ est mon livre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ceci
Ceci is used for proximal identification.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ est mon livre.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ceci
Ceci is used for proximal identification.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

8 exercises
Translate to French (informal) Translation

I don't want that.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne veux pas ça.
Pick the right pronoun to introduce a quote. Multiple Choice

Le président a déclaré ___ : « La paix est proche. »

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ceci
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

ça / plaît / me / beaucoup

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ça me plaît beaucoup.
Choose between ça and sa. Fill in the Blank

___ arrive tout le temps.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ça
Correct the spelling. Error Correction

Ca va bien ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ça va bien ?
Match the pronoun to its context. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All matched correctly.
Which one refers to something far away in a contrast? Multiple Choice

Ceci est mon verre, et ___ est le tien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cela
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Comment s'appelle ___ ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: cela

Score: /8

FAQ (1)

It sounds very formal. Stick to 'ça'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

eso/esto

French has a universal 'ça'.

German moderate

das

German is more rigid with neuter articles.

Japanese partial

kore/sore

French 'ça' is less distance-dependent.

Arabic partial

hadha/dhalika

Arabic is gendered.

Chinese low

zhe/na

No gender in Chinese.

French high

ceci/cela

Register usage.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
French Pronoun 'y': Using it for ideas (penser à, croire à)

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