Many languages have more than one word for the English “you.” In Turkish, there is sen (for singular “you”) and siz (for plural or formal “you”). Spanish is similar with tu and ustedes. Vietnamese has at least 8 forms of “you” depending on if you are older, younger, a man, a woman, and on your social status.
Most grammar books tell us that there is only one “you” in English. This “you” is both singular and plural, formal and informal. This is not actually always true. In American English there are differences between singular “you” and plural “you”. However, there is no difference between formal and informal.
Look at the map above to see what different people around America say for plural “you.”
Examples:
Scott from Ohio: How are you doing? - to 1 person
Scott from Ohio: How are you guys doing? - to more than 1 person.
Bill from Texas: What are you up to this evening? - to 1 person
Bill from Texas: What are ya’ll up to this evening? - to more than 1 person
Note: “guys” is used for both men and when in this way.
*Image found at Dump.com and thanks to Larry Ferlazzo for the heads up.
