French Phrase
L'examen, c'est la semaine prochaine.
Meaning
This sentence means "The exam is next week." It uses the identification construction "c'est" to point out the exam and places the time reference after the verb phrase.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell someone when an upcoming test will take place, especially in informal or conversational contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
L'examenc'estlasemaineprochaine
Elision of the article
The definite article "le" drops the vowel before a vowel sound, becoming "l'" in "L'examen".
c'est vs il/elle est
"c'est" is used to identify or point out something (the exam), whereas "il/elle est" describes a characteristic.
Time expression placement
"la semaine prochaine" (next week) follows the verb phrase and acts as a temporal complement.
🗨In Conversation
Quand est l'examen ?
When is the exam?
L'examen, c'est la semaine prochaine.
The exam is next week.
✕Common Mistakes
Le examen, c'est la semaine prochaine.
The article "le" must elide before a vowel, becoming "l'".
C'est la semaine prochaine.
You need a subject before "c'est"; omit the subject only when identifying something, not when stating a time alone.
L'examen, c'est le semaine prochaine.
The correct article for "semaine" is feminine "la".
C'est l'examen, la semaine prochaine.
When the subject is already mentioned, keep the structure "L'examen, c'est..." to avoid redundancy.
↔Alternatives
L'examen aura lieu la semaine prochaine.
The exam will take place next week.
L'examen est prévu pour la semaine prochaine.
The exam is scheduled for next week.
L'examen se tiendra la semaine prochaine.
The exam will be held next week.
Cultural Tip
In French, "c'est" is the go‑to structure for pointing out or identifying something, even when a simple "il/elle est" would be grammatically possible. Also, "la semaine prochaine" is a fixed phrase; never say "le semaine prochaine" or "la prochaine semaine" in this context.