El pronombre "you" en plural
When English speakers want to say you (plural) I always hear they add something after the pronoun to make it clear that they are referring to more than one person. I've heard "you guys" and "you all" many times. I was taught that it isn't needed, but is it really not needed? Now every time that I say "you" to mean "ustedes" I feel the need to add something else because I don't know if I'm getting my message across. What do you use to say ustedes?
6 Answers
Generally most Latinos and Spaniards will omit personal pronouns, except for giving emphasis. The general exception is with usted and ustedes, because the verb form is the same for él/ella and ellos/ellas respectively.
In Spain the problem is reduced as we have the "vosotros" or "Y'all" form. Unless there is a clear antecedent and both parties in a conversation know of whom they are speaking, I would advise using the singular usted and plural ustedes to keep things clear. Once things are clear, then the pronouns are not necessary.
Maybe this is the reason that Spaniards are more likely to use "tú" and "vosotros" more quickly than other hispanohablantes. One curious fact. Puerto Ricans are the only group that I know of that constantly uses the pronouns. When I have mentioned this in my classes, if there is a Puerto Rican present, he or she will back me up.
Yep, as Feliz says it comes down to context and common usage, but I'd also say that appending "all" or "guys" etc. can give a greater sense of individuality to the "you."
That is to say, if the "you" is being treated as a singular entity, like a teacher addressing a class, then "you" on its own may suffice.
If, however, it was a coach addressing a team and he really wanted to stress the importance of each individual, then "you all" might be preferred.
But this is only a nuance and really either usage is fine in nearly all situations. The only obvious exception I can think of is if the "you" is only two people, and then "you both" would be used instead of "you all."
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You asked:
When English speakers want to say you (plural) I always hear they add something after the pronoun to make it clear that they are referring to more than one person. I've heard "you guys" and "you all" many times. I was taught that it isn't needed, but is it really not needed? Now every time that I say "you" to mean "ustedes" I feel the need to add something else because I don't know if I'm getting my message across. What do you use to say ustedes?
To be honest, I think it would depend on the context as to whether it is needed.
In my experience, if you are talking to a small group of friends in an informal (casual) setting where you can be easily heard, and everyone seemed to be listening to you, then you would probably not need to use the word 'all' . You could just say, for example: "Hi guys, its good that you could 'make it' (come) here tonight " etc...etc....
If, on the other hand, you were trying to talk to a large group of strangers, in a more formal situation where it was more difficult to gain and keep people's attention you might need to use the word all or everyone more than once For example;
Addressing adults: 1."Hello everyone, my name is Jessica, I'd like to welcome you all here. I am your tour guide for today! It is my responsibility to make sure you stay safe in London and have a wonderful time so please would you all please pay attention to my instructions" .etc.... The use of the word all here is to be warm and friendly, but also to make people realize that the instruction to listen applies to everyone in the group!
2."Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. We would like to welcome you all to our afternoon music concert in the park." etc...The use of the word all here is designed to be inclusive and draw people into a shared sense of community based around their shared interest in the music.
In one sense your teachers are completely right, because in many cases /situations there is no need to use the word all/everyone because it is implied because when you say hi friends, you are using the plural form: friendS
At other times, it can be helpful to use these words all and everyone:
1.to help make everyone feel included and 2.to emphasize the need for everyone to pay attention to instructions
While talking with natives in Spain I have sometimes experienced a similar kind of problem in the opposite way because I had learnt from Spanish-speaking natives on this site not to use personal pronouns (eg: tú, ud etc...) unnecessarily (inappropriately)...which is good, but then sometimes I have avoided using them at all even perhaps when I should have done. For example, while having a friendly conversation with a native mother with children in a hotel lift (elevator) one day I asked her her name while looking at her. There were other people in the lift too as it was a big lift. I asked, ¿Cómo se llama, por favor? She looked at me a bit puzzled /confused and replied ¿Quién, él? pointing at her son. I said "No, señora, Usted" ¿Yo? She answered. Then she gave me her name. she was not offended and we parted in a friendly way. Should I have said, ¿Cómo se llama Usted, por favor? because se llama can refer to he/she or you (polite form?
I hope this helps you
You all have to be aware of the cultural differences here , not only country to
country but also within a country , and also most importantly with the use of you
as a personal pronoun in the plural in some strata of society they use "youse"
It is often used here and I believe in Scotland and parts of the US,but it is not
correct. Feliz is right context is everything . Whether you say ,"G'day to you all ".
morning all , or " I bid you good morning " with a sweep of the hand.
They are all acceptable in most circumstances. Play it by ear "Y'all ".
The English second person plural pronoun varies by register (how formal you're being) and region.
In Standard English (the kind you'll see in academic settings, or on the news), the plural of "you" is "you". So "you" means both "tú" and "usted".
The issue is that in many dialects of English, this is not the case. For most English speakers (at least informally), "you" is singular, but not plural. (So "you" is "tú", but no "usted").
Several possible plurals include "y'all" (used in India and the southern US) "you guys" (used by the western, mid-western, and north-eastern US), "you all" (used in even more parts of the US), "youse" (used in parts of the north-eastern US), "yinz" (used in parts of the north-eastern US), "you lot" (used in parts of the UK), "unu" (used in Jamaica), "all y'all" (used in parts of Texas), the list goes on.
If I were you, I'd stick to using "you" as the plural, until you find a consistent friend group of English speakers. If you do, start picking up on what they use and see if you can incorporate it into your speech.
Personal pronouns in standard Modern English
Person (gender) Subject Object Possessive determiner Possessive pronoun Reflexive Singular First I me my mine myself
Second you your yours yourself
Third Masculine he him his himself
Feminine she her hers herself
Neuter it its itself
Plural
First we us our ours ourselves
Second you your yours yourselves
Third they them their theirs themselves
