When do you use 'on'?

'On' is usually used in informal situations to mean 'we'. Instead of saying 'nous allons aller au cinéma' you might say 'on va aller au cinéma'. It's very common to hear and see French people using 'on' instead of 'nous' when they're talking to their friends or family. 'Nous' is usually used when writing, or in more formal situations. It's also used to mean 'one' or 'someone' E.g 'On pourrait dire qu'il est stupide, mais je pense qu'il est intelligent' - 'One could say that he is stupid, but I think he's clever'

IC
Answered by Isobel C. French tutor

1682 Views

See similar French GCSE tutors

Related French GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What's the difference between 'tous' and 'tout'?


How can I write a good essay?


What is and how do I use the pluperfect tense?


How do I know whether to use 'depuis' or 'pendant'?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning