In the lesson, there are two examples given:
1. Nous sommes gentils
2. On est gentils
In the second example, why is there “s” on the end of gentils? Should it not be gentil - since “on” is 3rd person singular?
On = we, one, people
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Lynne K.Kwiziq community member
On = we, one, people
This question relates to:French lesson "On can mean either we/one/people (French Subject Pronouns)"
Asked 4 years ago
No and yes. No, it should not be gentil, the -s is correct. And yes, on is 3rd person singular. But (and there always is a but) when on stands in for nous, it is used in a plural sense. So you have a chimera demanding a singular verb (est) and a plural adjective.
In the case that on is the impersonal "we", i.e., one/people, the adjective is singular.
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