Question 1

Why do we use C'est instead of Elle est here, since école is a feminine noun?

Accepted Answer

When a noun is introduced with an article or determiner like une, you must use c'est. You would only use Elle est if it were followed by a lone adjective without a noun, such as Elle est très chère (It is very expensive).

Question 2

Why do both adjectives (privée and chère) come after the noun?

Accepted Answer

Most French adjectives go after the noun. Only a specific group of common adjectives related to Beauty, Age, Goodness, and Size (often called the BAGS adjectives) go before the noun. Because privée and chère do not fit those categories, they follow école.

Question 3

Doesn't chère usually mean "dear"?

Accepted Answer

It can mean both! The meaning changes depending on where you put the adjective. When placed after the noun like in this sentence, it means "expensive." If placed before the noun, it means "dear" or "beloved," as in Cher ami (Dear friend).

Question 4

Why is there no et (and) connecting the two descriptions privée and très chère?

Accepted Answer

In French, when an adjective forms a common set phrase with a noun, like école privée (private school), you can place another adjective directly after it without needing et. The phrase très chère simply modifies that entire concept.

C'est une école privée très chère.

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