I'm Southern and to me the phrase y'all is the contraction for "you all" and is never singular. My pet peeve is folks who try to imitate a drawl and inject the phrase y'all into their speech as if it is singular. But I'm just wondering... are there folks out there who regularly use the phrase y'all as singular? i.e. use it when they are not trying to imitate Southerners?!?
2006-11-08 00:13:54 · 11 answers · asked by Kris 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
"Y'All" certainly may be used in the singular and often is.
The plural is "all y'all"
My favorite Southern expression is "How's yor Mama an' dem?"
2006-11-08 00:16:47 · answer #1 · answered by Prof. Cochise 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Thats just the way the south works. y'all is singular and all y'all is plural
2006-11-08 00:15:52 · answer #2 · answered by bradthepilot 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't evaluate it valid from an psychological point of view, through fact even the word "you all" is incorrect be conscious utilization. while you're addressing a set of human beings, "you" shifts into plural mode: "How are you doing as we talk?" in case you prefer to comprise using "all," it would correct be, "How are all of you doing?" -- asserting "How are you all doing?" may well be incorrect and cumbersome, even even with the undeniable fact that that is shorter with the help of one be conscious. That being reported, i don't care if absolutely everyone makes use of it verbally. that is rarely as vulgar as "ain't," which i become appalled to verify get examined countless years in the past with the help of inclusion in specific dictionaries. yet in written communications, i might whinge if somebody used such vernacular in writing, different than possibly on a surprisingly casual occasion invitation.
2016-11-28 03:08:58 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard it used that way, but it is incorrect...if you are alone, an someone says to you "y'all come by and visit" that's incorrect unless they are referring to you and others that are absent...
I use "y'all" quite a bit, but always plural...because as you said, it's a contraction for you ALL...not just another way to address "you" (only)...
2006-11-08 00:24:25 · answer #4 · answered by . 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
um...i never use this word in any form. i've heard people use it. i'm not even going to talk about where i've heard it, i'll sound like an *sshole. i'm from michigan. and people from the midwest don't typically use this word. unless you are...never mind....there's me being an *sshole again.
2006-11-08 00:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by practicalwizard 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't use it. It's mostly Southern like you are that use it or from the midwest.
2006-11-08 00:16:07 · answer #6 · answered by Kristen H 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I agree it's confusing. Thats why I use the less confusing..
Youens and Youenses. That way there is no confusion.
-HtJ
2006-11-08 00:16:46 · answer #7 · answered by hesterthehester 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you - it should be used in place of "you all" which is plural.
2006-11-08 00:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
y'all isn't a word.
2006-11-08 00:15:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
wah! sibeh chim ahh...
2006-11-08 00:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋