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The boundaries between formal and informal language differ from language to language, as well as within social groups of the speakers of a given language. In some circumstances, it is not unusual to call other people by first name and the respectful form, or last name and familiar form.
The pronoun you (and its other forms) can be used as a generic or indefinite pronoun, referring to a person in general. A more formal equivalent is the indefinite pronoun one (reflexive oneself, possessive one's). For example, you should keep your secrets to yourself may be used in place of the more formal one should keep one's secrets to oneself.
Catalan uses the singular pronouns tu (informal) and vostè (formal), while vosaltres (informal) and vostès (formal) are used for two or more addressees. The form vós , used instead of tu to address someone respectfully, follows the same concordance rules as the French vous (verbs in second person plural, adjectives in singular), and vostè ...
The practice of matching singular and plural forms with informal and formal connotations is called the T–V distinction and in English is largely due to the influence of French. This began with the practice of addressing kings and other aristocrats in the plural .
Formal grammar, a grammar describing a formal language; Colloquialism, the linguistic style used for informal communication; T–V distinction, involving a distinction between formal and informal words for "you" Formal proof, a fully rigorous proof as is possible only in a formal system
You is used to refer to an indeterminate person, as a more common alternative to the very formal indefinite pronoun one. [30] Though this may be semantically third person, for agreement purposes, you is always second person. Example: "One should drink water frequently" or "You should drink water frequently".
Mortgage prequalification is an informal estimate of how much you may be able to borrow. It’s based on information you provide, without any verification from the lender regarding its accuracy ...
you are/thou art (second-person singular) he, she, one, it is (third-person singular) we are (first-person plural) you are/ye are (second-person plural) they are (third-person plural, and third-person singular) Other verbs in English take the suffix -s to mark the present tense third person singular, excluding singular 'they'.