Stressed Pronouns: Moi, Toi, Lui, Elle, Nous, Vous, Eux, Elles
For emphasis, after prepositions, and in comparisons
Category: Pronouns
The Rule
Stressed (disjunctive) pronouns are used after prepositions (avec moi), for emphasis (Moi, je pense que...), in comparisons (plus grand que toi), and after c'est (c'est moi).
Why This Matters
English speakers often try to use subject pronouns everywhere ('with I' instead of 'with me'), but French has a dedicated set of pronouns for non-subject positions. These stressed pronouns appear after prepositions, stand alone as answers, add emphasis, and follow c'est. They're essential for natural-sounding French.
Examples
• Viens avec moi. — "Come with me." [After preposition (avec) → stressed pronoun] • Moi, je pense que c'est vrai. — "I think it's true. (emphasis on 'I')" [Moi for emphasis at start of sentence] • C'est lui qui a gagné. — "It's him who won." [After c'est → stressed pronoun] • Elle est plus grande que toi. — "She is taller than you." [After que in comparison → stressed pronoun] • Qui veut du gâteau ? — Moi ! — "Who wants cake? — Me!" [Standing alone as answer]
Common Mistakes
❌ Viens avec je. ✅ Viens avec moi. → After a preposition, use the stressed pronoun (moi), not the subject pronoun (je). ❌ C'est je qui ai fait ça. ✅ C'est moi qui ai fait ça. → After c'est, use stressed pronouns: c'est moi, c'est toi, c'est lui/elle. ❌ Plus grand que il. ✅ Plus grand que lui. → After que in comparisons, use stressed pronouns.
Quick Tip
The stressed pronoun for 'they (m.)' is eux (not ils), and for 'they (f.)' it's elles. 'Avec eux' = with them (m.), 'chez elles' = at their place (f.).
The stressed pronoun for 'they (m.)' is eux (not ils), and for 'they (f.)' it's elles. 'Avec eux' = with them (m.), 'chez elles' = at their place (f.).
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Viens avec je. → Correct: Viens avec moi.. After a preposition, use the stressed pronoun (moi), not the subject pronoun (je).
Incorrect: C'est je qui ai fait ça. → Correct: C'est moi qui ai fait ça.. After c'est, use stressed pronouns: c'est moi, c'est toi, c'est lui/elle.
Incorrect: Plus grand que il. → Correct: Plus grand que lui.. After que in comparisons, use stressed pronouns.
Quiz
How do you say 'It's us!' in French?