"He is a tough man."

Translation: C'est un homme dur.

[liberalkansan]

Il est un homme dur?

C'est would be "this is", right?

[patlaf]

It's a modified noun, so you use "C'est"

For more info: http://french.about.com/library/weekly/aa032500.htm

[TheFortuneTeller]

Shouldn't this have been mentioned somewhere before, then?

[DeBonneHeure]

At least it's mentioned now. My textbook does not mention the "article rule," one that should be easy to apply.

[blubberbeest]

So it's "C'est" because the noun is modified?

"He is a man" would have been "Il est un homme"?

[iixtapa]

No I think you would still use "C'est" for "C'est un homme" because the noun "homme" is still being modified by "un."

[rpghellin]

I now understand that using C'est is preferrable... But is 'Il est' soooo wrong?

[DianaM]

Yeah, it is. Completely. Sorry.

Edit: I believe in very formal (or old) written French, you might see "Il est" used in that way.

[_Klaus]

Use "c'est" before nouns with articles (un/une, le/la) or possessives (mon/ma).

[Eat_More_Kale]

Thank you. Your explanation is simpler and more consice than that about.com article everyone's linking to.

[lovallothers]

why?

[DianaM]

Because language. Logic is a frail reed when it comes to language.

[davecw]

That said it doesn't mean there's no point in searching for reason in things like that

[poakahi]

patlaf, your link won't work. why is "il est un home dur" wrong?? like the others said, using "c'est" was never mentioned

[K333222]

http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/cest-versus-il-elle-est

[_Klaus]

Check below.

[Andrea57964]

There needs to be a resource for learning the grammar rules. Or are we suppose to keep guessing?

[Kyns2005]

C'homme seems odd. I've always learned it as "cet homme".

[DianaM]

I don't know where you saw that, but it is in fact wrong. If you saw it in one of the "wrong" answers in a multiple choice, believe me when I say those can be utter nonsense. Pay them no mind.

[haedehr]

Difference between "dur" and fort"?

[blutach]

Fort means strong

[Mariuseleven]

Why would this not be "Il est un dur homme" or "Il est un homme dur?"
(11/20/17)

[MarisCuneo1]

I have a mental block on this. My brain always thinks "il est".

[For_aiur]

Just to make sure I understand the rule correctly: "He is a tough man" = "C'est un homme dur" but "He is the tough man" = "il est l'homme dur". Is that correct?

[DianaM]

Um, no. Either way, the noun is modified.

You use "il est" with an adjective, like "Il est gentil", or with particular nouns that refer to professions, like "Il est medecin". (I believe the French actually think of that usage of the noun as being an adjective).

Otherwise, if it's an ordinary noun with "le, la, les, un, une, des" in front, you must use "C'est".

http://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/cest-versus-il-elle-est

[Karuna8063]

BEST clarity of explanation I've seen! Thank you so so much. Examples and simplicity have cleared up all my confusion. Blessings.

[BenRoberts02]

Shouldn't 'c'est un dur homme' be accepted?

[haedehr]

No, because "dur" is not a BANGS adjective:
B–Beauty
A–Age
N–Number
G–Good/bad
S–Size

[driftglass6]

"C'est un homme dur." Does this mean he's a rugged man or a harsh one?

[dreamyo99]

When can i say " un bel oiseau " and " un homme dur " ?! The position of adj.

[blutach]

Google BANGS adjectives. Or read the lesson on adjectives 1 (I think).

[juanbflores]

Il est un homme dur

[FelipeS.5]

What's wrong with "C'est un homme FORT"???

[AdliZakaria]

Why "fort" is wrong when I understood that he is strong or tough physically?

[aishiyin]

I have the same question as you and FelipeS.5. To me it is correct to say, "C'est un homme fort."