Use of "ce sont" for "they're", instead of "ils sont" or "elles sont"

Question

In the sentence: "Que tu l'admettes ou non, ce ne sont pas tes amis," why is "ce ne sont pas" used for "they're not" instead of "ils ne sont pas"? Thank you.

Accepted Answer

Hi Mark, 
It is the perennial question asking why you cannot say -
il est mon ami = he is my friend 
il est mon frère = he's my brother 
etc.
you have to use -
C' est 
c'est mon ami ---> ce n'est pas mon ami
c'est mon frère ------> Ce n'est pas mon frère 
This is just the plural form of one of these examples.
Take another look at the Kwiziq lesson and the Q&A at the end of it -
https://french.kwiziq.com/revision/grammar/when-to-use-cest-or-il-est-elle-est-to-say-it-is
Bonne Continuation!