SunFlowerSeed  +  321032 Sun, 28 Jan 07 04:56 PM Is there any way to use YOU for a single person. I mean stressing YOU that it is used for a singular person. It is singular and plural at the same time. Or any other word that can be used as a singular you. Is it possible to make I plural? Not the meaning of WE. Like many I. Why? For poetic reasons. ''There are many I's in my head, and I am changing into one from another, thus you can never know who I really am.'' I want to stress you in this sentence to make the other person be sure that it is only singular you. Also grammar corrections are welcome on the sentence, or any other way of saying it. SunFlowerSeed Joined on Sun, Jan 28 2007 Korea New Member 34 -- Enis Grammar, Plurals

	Clive  +  321040 Sun, 28 Jan 07 05:17 PM Hi, Is there any way to use YOU for a single person. I mean stressing YOU that it is used for a singular person. The context often makes it clear which is meant, eg You are a beautiful woman. Or 'I love you' (said while holding her in my arms). However, it's true that it is not always clear. It is singular and plural at the same time. Or any other word that can be used as a singular you. You might consider the archaic thou / thee. (subject / object forms). Thou are (or archaic 'art') beautiful. I love thee. Archaic forms like these are still found in some poetry today. However, you may not want this archaic 'feeling'. Is it possible to make I plural? Not the meaning of WE. Like many I. Why? For poetic reasons. ''There are many I's in my head, and I am changing from one to another, thus you can never know who I really am.'' I want to stress you in this sentence to make the other person be sure that it is only singular you. If it's poetic, you have a great deal of freedom ('poetic licence') to play with language and grammar. I don't see why you can't say it in the way that you have said it. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,663 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Grammar, Plurals

	SunFlowerSeed  +  321048 Sun, 28 Jan 07 05:33 PM Thanks for the reply and corrections. 'Thou' would look archaic. I assume that '' I's '' is used correctly with apostrophe, because you haven't corrected it. SunFlowerSeed Apostrophes

	SunFlowerSeed  +  321340 Mon, 29 Jan 07 06:32 AM You Are What You Is (Zappa, September 1981) Do you know what you are? You are what you is You is what you am (A cow don't make ham . . . ) You ain't what you're not So see what you got You are what you is An' that's all it 'tis I am confused by this lyric. Is there any chance to say 'you is a good person.' for a singular meaning not like in 'you is the best word.' I never heard of it but then I found the lyric above. SunFlowerSeed

	Clive  +  321461 Mon, 29 Jan 07 02:32 PM HI, In songs and poetry, writers often play with or ignore grammar rules. I don't recommend that people who are learning English should do that. Best wishes, Clive Clive Grammar, Learning English