Comments on: O Second Person Singular, Where Art Thou? http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:00:10 -0600 hourly 1 By: The Many Forms of the Verb TO BE http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-989 The Many Forms of the Verb TO BE Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:18:44 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/#comment-989 [...] reading O Second Person Where Art Thou reader Bill G asks: How can I explain to my students why the singular “you” takes the plural [...] [...] reading O Second Person Where Art Thou reader Bill G asks: How can I explain to my students why the singular “you” takes the plural [...]

]]> By: Maeve http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-978 Maeve Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:39:57 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/#comment-978 When plural "you" started being used as a polite singular, the verb "are" was part of the package. When singular "Thou art" dropped out to be replaced by "you are," <b>are</b> took on a singular meaning: "are" IS singular in the sentence "You are my only friend." In "You are my only friends," <b>are</b> is plural. The verb "to be" is complex. It deserves a post of its own. I'll get right on that. When plural “you” started being used as a polite singular, the verb “are” was part of the package.

When singular “Thou art” dropped out to be replaced by “you are,” are took on a singular meaning:

“are” IS singular in the sentence “You are my only friend.” In “You are my only friends,” are is plural.

The verb “to be” is complex. It deserves a post of its own. I’ll get right on that.

]]> By: Bill G http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-976 Bill G Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:29:54 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/#comment-976 How can I explain to my students why the singular "you" takes the plural verb "are?" Is there something obvious I am missing? Even "thou" took "art." What is the history of this shift? How can I explain to my students why the singular “you” takes the plural verb “are?” Is there something obvious I am missing? Even “thou” took “art.” What is the history of this shift?

]]> By: Amy W. http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-925 Amy W. Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:46:48 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/#comment-925 Very interesting. That truly is all brand new information to me. Very interesting. That truly is all brand new information to me.

]]> By: “Could Care Less” versus “Couldn’t Care Less” http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-917 “Could Care Less” versus “Couldn’t Care Less” Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:50:30 +0000 http://www.dailywritingtips.com/o-second-person-singular-where-art-thou/#comment-917 [...] article about the loss of Thou received some comments on the use of “could care less” instead of “couldn’t [...] [...] article about the loss of Thou received some comments on the use of “could care less” instead of “couldn’t [...]

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