September 15, 2012 - Word of the Day

you

When speaking directly to another person, use the pronoun "you."

The word "you" is also used when talking to more than one person:

Then there's the indefinite form for "you." This is very useful because it can be used in talking about any person or group of people, directly or indirectly:

• Smoking is bad for you. (It's bad for any person to smoke.)
• You must capitalize the first word in a sentence. (Everyone must do this.)
• If you practice English every day, you will improve. (This is good advice for anyone who hears it.)

Here's a video on the use of you as an indefinite pronoun:

One more thing. Remember that "you" is the subject in sentences that are in the imperative form (commands):

• Give that to me, please. (The subject in this sentence is "you.")
• Stop at the light. (The subject is "you.")
• Don't do that! (I'm talking to you!)

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