How to use "you all".....

[W2DR 1,866]

When I was growing up I was taught that there  is a very specific way to use the term "you all". First, never use the term when taking to a single person. If there is only one person use a simple "you". When there are several people it changes a bit. For 2-5 people the term "y'all" is appropriate. For a group of more than 5 people you should say "all y'all". That's just how one southern-raised family used it. I'm curious to know of there are other "rules". Probably, I just don't know what they are.....Doug

[stans 717]

Rules?  We don't need no stinkin' rules! 😁  Native Virginian and the use of y'all was applied to two or more people.  I think "all y'all" might be a think in the deep south.

[hs118 731]

2 hours ago, stans said:

Rules?  We don't need no stinkin' rules! 😁  Native Virginian and the use of y'all was applied to two or more people.  I think "all y'all" might be a think in the deep south.

Born in Texas here. Raised in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Kentucky. Ten years in North Carolina, current 20+ year resident of South Carolina. Never heard any "rule" like this.

[JRBarrett 3,201]

In western Pennsylvania (especially Pittsburgh) “Yinz” is the standard plural “you”.

[Jude Bradley 660]

In certain parts of Ireland, (Dublin) "you" is singular,whereas "yous" is plural. Of course the correct English is "You" for both singular and plural, but certain other parts of Ireland also use "Ye" for you, as parts of Wexford and Newfoundland,of which many Irish and Scottish settled. If you ever watched "Republic of Doyle", you'll get a feel for the Irish/Scottish dialects.

 

[JRBarrett 3,201]

 

4 hours ago, W2DR said:

First, never use the term when taking to a single person.

Except, perhaps, if the person in question is physically… “large”. 😄

[rjack1282 317]

"You" is technically correct for both singular and plural unless of course you were born and raised in LA (Lower Alabama😁), then it's you and y'all.

[mwilk 1,108]

" All y'all" the plural of y'all.

[charliearon 3,067]

Youze guys! 🙃

[BillW 216]

Southern California as a kid: You is singular. You guys is plural. Lived in Texas nearly all of my life and still say "you guys".  Yes, I have endured some grief over this.😄

Bill W

[Garys 214]

The word y'all is nothing but distain for the english language. Enough said.

Edited July 25, 2022 by Garys

[GACSavannah 235]

Ewe awl need to shut off youz computer and go out side for a while... Just kidden ya'll

[109Sqn 1,611]

 The correct way to use "you all" or "y'all" is never. But then I'm not American!😝 

 

2 hours ago, Jude Bradley said:

In certain parts of Ireland, (Dublin) "you" is singular, whereas "yous" is plural. 

You'll hear that in Scotland too, which bugs me no end.

[mwilk 1,108]

59 minutes ago, BillW said:

Southern California as a kid: You is singular. You guys is plural. Lived in Texas nearly all of my life and still say "you guys".  Yes, I have endured some grief over this.😄

Bill W

I'm originally from Ohio but have lived in Texas for the last 20 years. I absolutely refuse to say y'all. Like you, I say you guys.

[LHookins 3,117]

8 hours ago, JRBarrett said:

In western Pennsylvania (especially Pittsburgh) “Yinz” is the standard plural “you”.

I remember that as being "you'uns" in northern Pennsylvania.  I wouldn't be surprised if some regions of Pennsylvania shortened it to "yinz".

My mother was from Pennsylvania, and of course, did not speak English. 😄  They have lots of odd pronunciations and words.  You might guess that "wheeds" grow in your yard, but do you know what a clothespress is?  Or a pocketbook? Taggers and iggles can be found in zoos.  Mom called this dialect "Pennsylvania Dutch", actually "Deutsch" meaning German.

Hook