you, plural, singular, informal or formal?

In modern-day English, there is only one form of you for formal, informal, singular and plural.

So how do we tell the difference in English?

WHICH FORM OF YOU?

SINGULAR OR PLURAL AND FORMAL OR INFORMAL

At one time English had a range of other options, like other languages, for the formal and informal forms – thee, thou. They have fallen all out of use over time to be replaced one just one option – you.

So how do English speakers know which form of you is being used? We add additional information.

YOU FOR PLURAL

We will often add a second word to make it clear that the you pronoun is in the plural.

Can you lot please be quiet? – Using the word ‘lot’ after you indicates that this is informal.

Could you both join me later? – Using the determiner ‘both’ indicates that you is formal / neutral.

Could you all / all of you go to the end of the corridor? – Using the determiner ‘all / all of’ indicates that ‘you’ is formal / neutral. (Be careful with this option as ‘you all’ is often used in some types of USA English in a very informal sense.)

If you are visiting London and hear other visitors from some parts of Ireland, Scotland or Northern England you may hear the very informal use of ‘youse’ as the plural version.

YOU FOR SECOND PERSON SINGULAR

The singular meaning is usually obvious so no additional indication is necessary. However, we do often use different phrases to indicate whether we mean ‘you formal’ or ‘you informal’.

How’re you doing? – you singular informal

How do you do? – you singular formal.

You may on rare occasions read or hear the older English form of second person singular informal – thou (or the plural thee). Literature, religious texts or song lyrics occasionally use these old fashioned versions instead of using the modern ‘you’. Thou and thee are still in use in some parts of Northern England but you’re unlikely to ever hear them spoken in London.

YOU AS AN IMPERSONAL PRONOUN

In academic text or in formal speeches, the pronoun ‘one‘ is often used. For example; one needs to consider the effects of global warming. Note however; one takes the third person of the verb tense and you always takes the second person verb tense.

In all other circumstances you should use you as an impersonal pronoun as use of the pronoun ‘one‘ can be considered as pompous or arrogant in most situations. For example; You need to consider the effects of global warming.

However, when we use ‘you‘ as an impersonal pronoun and it’s not clear if it’s you personal or you impersonal we add the phrase; ‘as in one‘. For example You need to consider the effects of global warming. I mean you as in one. This then qualifies you as the impersonal and general pronoun to avoid any doubt.

YOU, YOU AND YOU

As always in language, what appears as something simple such as only having one form of you, can lead to having to learn different approaches and structures.

If you learn the way we use you to indicate which form we mean, you will be fine. I meant you as in one in that sentence of course.