ye

IPA/jiː/
KK[jˈi]IPA/jiː/

ye — pronoun

1. an old or literary form of 'you' used when speaking to a group, especially in pr

1.pronounB2
Definition

an old or literary form of 'you' used when speaking to a group, especially in prayers, songs, and older writing

Example

The guide in the old poem says, 'I will show ye the road home.'

verb + ye in quoted old-style speech

At the village fair, the actor cried, 'I thank ye for your kindness!'

Common collocations
  • I tell ye
  • thank ye
  • with ye
  • hear ye
Synonyms
  • you

    the modern form used for both singular and plural address in everyday English

Grammar Patterns

ye + verb

verb + ye

Usage Note

Mostly found in prayers, songs, and deliberately old-fashioned writing. Distinguish it from the definite article sense below: this pronoun means 'you', while the article sense is a stylized way to write 'the'.

Common Mistakes

Ye are invited to the meeting at noon.
You are invited to the meeting at noon.
in ordinary modern English, 'you' is the normal form and 'ye' sounds deliberately old-fashioned.
Ye book on the table is mine.
The book on the table is mine.
the pronoun sense means 'you'; it does not replace the article 'the' in normal sentences.

ye — article

Etymology

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined above Definite Article