Understanding the Old Form of You: The Usage of 'Thou' in English

Discover the historical use of 'thou' in Middle and Early Modern English.

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The old form of 'you' is 'thou'. It was commonly used in Middle and Early Modern English. 'Thou' was the singular form, while 'ye' was the plural form. These terms have mostly fallen out of use in contemporary English.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the difference between 'thou' and 'ye'? 'Thou' was the singular form of 'you', used when addressing one person, whereas 'ye' was the plural form, used when addressing multiple people.
  2. When did 'thou' and 'ye' fall out of use? 'Thou' and 'ye' were commonly used in Middle and Early Modern English but have mostly fallen out of use by contemporary English, particularly by the 18th century.
  3. Are there any modern uses of 'thou'? Yes, 'thou' is still used in some dialects and religious texts, particularly in the King James Bible and in some regional dialects in England.
  4. How do you use 'thou' in a sentence? An example sentence would be: 'Thou art the light of my life,' which means 'You are the light of my life.'

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