It is said: French Impersonal Passive (La forme passive impersonnelle)
Il est + participle to state general facts or rules without naming a specific person.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'on' to describe actions when the agent is unknown, irrelevant, or general, avoiding the clunky 'être' passive.
- Use 'on' as the subject to replace a passive construction: 'On mange ici' (It is eaten here).
- The verb remains in the third-person singular: 'On dit que...' (It is said that...).
- Avoid the passive 'être' when the actor is a general group of people.
Overview
La forme passive impersonnelle, or the impersonal passive form, is a sophisticated structure in French used to present an action, rule, or statement as an objective fact without naming the person or group responsible. It revolves around the use of the impersonal pronoun il as a placeholder or "dummy" subject. When you encounter a phrase like Il est interdit de fumer, the il does not refer to a specific man; it is a neutral, grammatical tool that allows the sentence to exist.
The true subject of the thought is the action itself (the act of forbidding smoking).
This structure elevates the formality and objectivity of a statement. It distances the speaker from the information, making it sound less like a personal opinion and more like an established rule or widely accepted truth. You will find it frequently in legal texts, official signage, news reporting, and academic writing.
Mastering this form is essential for a B2 learner aiming to communicate with a higher degree of precision and formality, shifting from simply stating facts to framing them with authority and nuance.
How This Grammar Works
il steps in to fill that grammatical slot. The focus is therefore shifted away from the agent and onto the action or its result.Le gouvernement a annoncé des mesures ("The government announced measures"). The agent is Le gouvernement.Il a été annoncé des mesures ("It has been announced [that there are] measures"). The action of announcing becomes the centerpiece. This grammatical transformation serves a specific purpose: it creates objectivity.il, the auxiliary verb être is always conjugated in the third-person singular, and most importantly, the past participle never agrees with any other noun in the sentence. It remains fixed in its masculine singular form (e.g., dit, permis, convenu).Word Order Rules
de) or a subordinate clause (introduced by que).Il + être (conjugated) + Participe Passé + de / queIl est décidé que le bureau fermera à 17h.Il | The grammatical placeholder subject. It is invariable. |être | est | The auxiliary verb, conjugated to match the desired tense (e.g., était, sera, a été). |décidé | The main verb in its past participle form. It is always masculine singular. |que le bureau... | The rest of the phrase, typically a que-clause or a de + infinitive structure. |- For negation,
ne...paswraps around the conjugated auxiliary verbêtre. For compound tenses, it wraps around the auxiliary. For example:Il n'est pas permis de manger ici.orIl n'a pas été décidé de changer les règles. - For questions, formal inversion places the verb before the pronoun:
Est-il permis de prendre des photos ?However, in modern French, it is far more common to use theest-ce queconstruction:Est-ce qu'il est permis de prendre des photos ?This avoids the formal inversion while maintaining a polite tone.
Formation Pattern
il.
être in the appropriate tense.
est) is most common, this form is used across all major tenses to convey different timeframes. Your choice of tense adds precision to the statement.
être | Example Sentence |
Il est | Il est dit que c'est dangereux. (It is said that it's dangerous.) |
Il a été | Il a été décidé de reporter la réunion. (It was decided to postpone the meeting.) |
Il était | Il était convenu que nous paierions chacun la moitié. (It was agreed that we would each pay half.) |
Il sera | Il sera interdit de stationner dans cette rue. (It will be forbidden to park on this street.) |
Il serait | Il serait préférable de réserver à l'avance. (It would be preferable to book in advance.) |
admis (admitted), annoncé (announced), convenu (agreed), décidé (decided), demandé (asked), dit (said), écrit (written), entendu (agreed/understood), interdit (forbidden), permis (permitted), prévu (planned), recommandé (recommended).
de + infinitif or que + proposition subordonnée.
de when the action applies to a verb: Il est recommandé de boire beaucoup d'eau.
que when the statement introduces a full clause with its own conjugated verb: Il est recommandé que vous buviez beaucoup d'eau. (Note the subjunctive buviez is often required after these expressions of will or judgment).
When To Use It
- Official Rules, Laws, and Regulations: This is the language of signs, contracts, and official documents. It states a rule as an undeniable fact, not a personal request. Example:
Il est interdit de jeter des objets sur la voie.(It is forbidden to throw objects onto the tracks.)
- Formal Announcements and Instructions: In public transport, airports, or formal ceremonies, this form is used to direct people impersonally. Example:
Il est demandé aux passagers de préparer leur carte d'embarquement.(Passengers are asked to prepare their boarding passes.)
- Journalism and Academic Writing: To report events or present arguments with an objective, neutral voice, free from personal opinion. Example:
Il a été rapporté plusieurs incidents lors de la manifestation.(Several incidents were reported during the protest.)
- Stating General Truths or Common Knowledge: To present something as a widely held belief or accepted fact. Example:
Il est généralement admis que le climat se réchauffe.(It is generally admitted that the climate is warming.)
- In Professional and Administrative Correspondence: In work emails or formal letters, it sets a professional tone. Example:
Suite à notre conversation, il a été convenu que le délai serait prolongé.(Following our conversation, it has been agreed that the deadline will be extended.)
Common Mistakes
- 1Erroneous Participle Agreement: This is the most frequent error. A learner sees a feminine or plural noun following the verb and incorrectly makes the participle agree. This is wrong.
- Incorrect:
Il est prévue une grève.(becausegrèveis feminine) - Correct:
Il est prévu une grève.(The participle is invariable becauseilis the grammatical subject.)
- 1Confusing
Il est...withC'est...: While they can sometimes seem similar, their functions are distinct.C'estis demonstrative; it points to something specific and tangible.Il estis impersonal; it states a general rule or abstract fact.
C'est interdit.(You point at someone smoking.) -> "That (what you are doing) is forbidden."Il est interdit de fumer.(You state the general rule.) -> "It is forbidden to smoke."
- 1Omitting
deBefore an Infinitive: A simple but common mistake is forgetting the prepositiondethat links the main phrase to the infinitive verb.
- Incorrect:
Il est permis stationner ici. - Correct:
Il est permis de stationner ici.
- 1Confusing Impersonal
Ilwith PersonalIl: The impersonal passive uses the auxiliaryêtre. Do not confuse it with a standard active sentence whereil(he) is the subject and the verb may useavoir.
Il est écrit que...(It is written that... - Impersonal Passive)Il a écrit que...(He wrote that... - Active Voice, Passé Composé)
Contrast With Similar Patterns
Il est dit que...) | Very High / Written. Formal, objective, authoritative. Used for rules, news, and official statements. | Il est dit que le président parlera ce soir. (Implies an official source or established fact.) |on Pronoun (On dit que...) | All Levels / Spoken & Written. The most common and versatile alternative. Can mean "we," "they," or "people in general." | On dit que le président parlera ce soir. (More like "People are saying..." or "I heard that...") |La porte s'ouvre...) | Medium / Written & Spoken. Describes an action that seems to happen on its own or is inherent to the subject. | Une décision pareille ne se prend pas à la légère. ("A decision like that isn't taken lightly." Focuses on the nature of the decision itself.) |...est fait par...) | High / Written. Formal and used when you want to de-emphasize the agent but still mention it using par or de. | La décision a été prise par le comité. (The agent, le comité, is still present but moved to the end.) |on for most everyday situations. Choose the true passive when you want to include the agent but give it less prominence.Real Conversations
While most prominent in formal writing, you will hear and use this structure in specific real-life scenarios that require a degree of formality.
Scenario 1
Subject
Bonjour à tous,
Il a été décidé, en accord avec la direction, de modifier les horaires d'ouverture à partir du 1er juin. Il vous est donc demandé de prendre note de ces changements.
(Here, Il a été décidé is more formal and less direct than "We have decided.")
Scenario 2
A professor addressing the class:
Pour l'examen final, il est attendu que vous maîtrisiez tous les concepts vus en cours. Il ne sera pas permis d'utiliser vos notes.
(Il est attendu sets a clear, non-negotiable expectation.)
Scenario 3
ALERTE INFO : Il a été convenu un cessez-le-feu entre les deux parties. Il entrera en vigueur à minuit.
(The use of Il a été convenu is standard journalistic practice for reporting official agreements.)
Scenario 4
Une fois les ingrédients mélangés, il est recommandé de laisser reposer la pâte pendant une heure.
(Presents the instruction as an expert best practice rather than a personal command.)
Quick FAQ
Yes. In the specific pattern Il + être + Participe Passé, the grammatical subject il is neuter and singular, so the participle remains in the masculine singular form (-é, -i, -u, etc.) regardless of what follows.
Il est interdit de... and Défense de... on a sign?Il est interdit de... is a complete sentence stating a formal rule. Défense de... (+ infinitive) is a nominal phrase, a more direct and abrupt prohibition often translated as "No..." (e.g., Défense de fumer -> "No Smoking"). The former is informational; the latter is a command.
No. It is typically restricted to verbs of speech (dire, annoncer), opinion/judgment (admettre, recommander), and decision/agreement (décider, convenir, prévoir). You cannot say *Il est mangé une pomme.
Il est important de...?They are close cousins. Il est + Adjective (important, nécessaire, possible) is a broader impersonal structure used to state generalities. The Il est + Past Participle pattern is a specific passive subset of this larger grammatical family.
Il a été the only way to use this in the past?No, Il a été (passé composé) is for a completed past action. You can also use Il était (imparfait) to describe a background rule or ongoing agreement in the past, e.g., À cette époque, il était interdit pour les femmes de voter.
Formation with 'On'
| Tense | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
On + Verb (3rd sing)
|
On mange
|
|
Passé Composé
|
On + Aux + P.P.
|
On a mangé
|
|
Imparfait
|
On + Verb (3rd sing)
|
On mangeait
|
|
Future
|
On + Verb (3rd sing)
|
On mangera
|
|
Conditional
|
On + Verb (3rd sing)
|
On mangerait
|
|
Subjunctive
|
On + Verb (3rd sing)
|
Qu'on mange
|
Meanings
The impersonal passive uses the pronoun 'on' to express actions where the subject is generalized or unknown, effectively acting as a passive voice.
Generalization
Referring to people in general or society.
“On ne sait jamais ce qui peut arriver.”
“On vit bien ici.”
Passive replacement
Describing an action without naming the doer.
“On a volé mon vélo.”
“On m'a dit de venir ici.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
On + Verb
|
On accepte
|
|
Negative
|
On + ne + Verb + pas
|
On n'accepte pas
|
|
Question
|
Est-ce qu'on + Verb
|
Est-ce qu'on accepte ?
|
|
Passé Composé
|
On + a/est + P.P.
|
On a accepté
|
|
Reflexive
|
On + se + Verb
|
On se demande
|
|
Passive Replacement
|
On + Verb (Active)
|
On a volé mon vélo
|
Formality Spectrum
L'on prétend que c'est vrai. (General opinion)
On dit que c'est vrai. (General opinion)
On dit que c'est vrai. (General opinion)
On raconte que c'est vrai. (General opinion)
The 'On' Universe
Generalization
- On dit It is said
Passive Replacement
- On a volé It was stolen
Social
- On va We are going
Passive vs. 'On' Passive
When to use 'On'?
Is the actor unknown?
Examples by Level
On mange à midi.
We eat at noon.
On parle français ici.
French is spoken here.
On aime le chocolat.
People like chocolate.
On va au cinéma.
We are going to the cinema.
On ne fume pas ici.
Smoking is not allowed here.
On a trouvé les clés.
The keys were found.
On dit que c'est bon.
It is said that it is good.
On ferme le magasin.
The shop is closing.
On m'a dit de venir.
I was told to come.
On a construit ce pont en 1990.
This bridge was built in 1990.
On ne peut pas entrer.
One cannot enter.
On a volé mon sac.
My bag was stolen.
On estime que le projet coûtera cher.
It is estimated that the project will be expensive.
On a décidé d'annuler la réunion.
It was decided to cancel the meeting.
On devrait faire plus attention.
One should be more careful.
On a souvent critiqué cette loi.
This law has often been criticized.
L'on ne saurait ignorer ces faits.
One cannot ignore these facts.
On a vu se développer de nouvelles technologies.
New technologies have been seen developing.
On a longtemps cru à cette théorie.
This theory was long believed.
On ne saurait trop insister sur ce point.
One cannot overemphasize this point.
On a pu observer une mutation des usages.
A shift in usage has been observed.
On a fait état de nombreuses irrégularités.
Numerous irregularities were reported.
On a su tirer profit de la situation.
The situation was successfully leveraged.
On a vu naître un nouveau courant artistique.
A new artistic movement was born.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the conjugation.
Learners use passive when 'on' is better.
Learners think 'on' is 'he'.
Common Mistakes
On mangeons
On mange
On est mangé
On mange
On mangez
On mange
On mange pas
On ne mange pas
On a été fait
On a fait
On sont allés
On est allé
On dit que ils...
On dit qu'ils...
On a été vu par moi
J'ai vu
On mangeons tous
On mange tous
On est dit
On dit
On est été
On a été
On ne saurait pas
On ne saurait
On est vu
On a vu
Sentence Patterns
On ___ que c'est vrai.
On ne ___ pas ici.
On m'a ___ de venir.
On ne saurait ___ ce point.
Real World Usage
On adore cette photo !
On se voit quand ?
On a développé ce projet.
On prend deux pizzas.
On peut acheter les billets ici ?
On a annoncé une hausse des prix.
Think 'People'
Singular only
Avoid 'être'
Casual 'We'
Smart Tips
Use 'on' for a natural, conversational tone.
Use 'on' instead of the passive 'être'.
Start with 'On dit que...'.
Use 'On doit' or 'On devrait'.
Pronunciation
Liaison
Always link 'on' to the next word if it starts with a vowel.
Rising
On y va ? ↑
Questioning
Memorize It
Mnemonic
On is the 'One' who does the job when nobody else is named.
Visual Association
Imagine a faceless person (a silhouette) doing tasks like cleaning or cooking. That silhouette is 'On'.
Rhyme
When the actor is unknown, use 'on' to make it your own.
Story
A detective walks into a room. He sees a broken vase. He doesn't know who did it. He says, 'On a cassé le vase.' He doesn't need a name, just the action.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 sentences about your day using 'On' instead of 'I' or 'We'.
Cultural Notes
Used constantly in daily life to replace 'nous'.
Very common, often used as the primary 'we'.
Used similarly to France, often with local verbs.
Comes from the Latin 'homo' (man).
Conversation Starters
On fait quoi ce soir ?
On dit souvent que le français est difficile, qu'en penses-tu ?
On a beaucoup changé nos habitudes, non ?
On ne saurait nier l'importance de la culture, n'est-ce pas ?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
On ___ (manger) à 13h.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
On ne fument pas ici.
Le projet est fini par nous.
'On' is always plural.
A: On fait quoi ? B: ___
dit / que / on / c'est / vrai
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesOn ___ (manger) à 13h.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
On ne fument pas ici.
Le projet est fini par nous.
'On' is always plural.
A: On fait quoi ? B: ___
dit / que / on / c'est / vrai
On dit
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesIl est ___ (écrire) que c'est gratuit.
It is forbidden to park here.
How do you say 'It is said that' formally?
Arrange:
Connect the pairs:
Il est prévue une fête.
Il est interdit ___ parler.
Il est ___ dans le livre.
In 'Il est interdit de courir', what does 'Il' refer to?
Il est ___ (entendu) que le Premier Ministre va parler.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it can mean 'people', 'they', or 'someone'.
It comes from 'homme', which is singular.
It is better to use 'nous' in very formal writing.
It is an impersonal construction that functions like a passive.
'Il' refers to a specific male; 'on' is general.
Yes, in formal French, 'ne' is required.
Yes, 'on se demande' is very common.
Yes, it is the standard way to say 'we'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Se + verb
Spanish uses 'se', French uses 'on'.
Man + verb
Grammatically identical.
Passive voice or 'one/people'
English lacks a single pronoun like 'on'.
Passive form
Japanese uses morphology, French uses a pronoun.
Passive verb form
Arabic is synthetic, French is analytic.
Topic-comment structure
Chinese relies on context.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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