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Lruc Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

2nd Person Plural Subject Pronoun

Does anybody else wonder why English does not have a second person plural subject pronoun? As an example, suppose you are giving a speech to a group of people and you want to address them as a group. You would be forced to use the singular pronoun, you, with an indefinite adjective like all. At a last resort, we could all use the Spanish alternative ustedes!
  

Top answer

Actually, "ye / you / your / yours" were the 2nd person plural forms (also formal) in Middle English. The singular was "thou / thee / thy /thine" The formal "you" became informal and replaced the singular. The nominative "ye" also disappeared.

— AlpheccaStars

  • Actually, "ye / you / your / yours" were the 2nd person plural forms (also formal) in Middle English.
  • The singular was "thou / thee / thy /thine" The formal "you" became informal and replaced the singular.
  • The nominative "ye" also disappeared.
  • Now, informally, there are several expressions - y'all (you all), youse (from Irish)
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2 Answers
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Actually, "ye / you / your / yours" were the 2nd person plural forms (also formal) in Middle English. The singular was "thou / thee / thy /thine"
The formal "you" became informal and replaced the singular. The nominative "ye" also disappeared.

Now, informally, there are several expressions - y'all (you all), youse (from Irish)
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Actually, while we are on the subject of 2nd person pronouns, I have another question. Why do we say "you are" when referring to a single person? Is it not correct to say "you is"?
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