this post was submitted on 22 May 2025
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[–] embed_me 2 points 3 days ago
[–] [email protected] 35 points 6 days ago (1 children)

"we" and other first-person-plurals

[–] [email protected] 15 points 6 days ago

We're right there with y'all.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 6 days ago

Depends on if I'm mad at myself...

"I should go get some food."

"You fucking idiot."

[–] [email protected] 20 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Typically “you” if it’s in my head, but if said out loud it’s “I”

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago

i use "ye", too, but only at renaissance festivals

[–] [email protected] 12 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I tend to just leave them out all together. Don’t know why though, maybe it’s faster?
It feels a bit like when you read a book fast and skip over entire words.

“Need to do some cleaning.”
“How could this be done faster?”
Or a common one:
“Hungry” :)

[–] ExperimentalGuy 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago
[–] [email protected] 13 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Both. And often also by name for some sarcasms.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago

Yeah this l me too. it depends on the context

[–] [email protected] 11 points 6 days ago

Interesting that several people are reporting using "you" for negative sentiments, because I use "I" for those as well. E.G. "Well, I'm a fucking idiot."

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I, you, we and thou.

As in:

"What am I doing?!"

"You're getting older, not younger."

"Let's not do this again."

"Thou have lost the little bit of reasoning you had left."

And it scares people.

[–] CandleTiger 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Thou hast mich

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 days ago

Depends which part of myself I'm talking to. If it's just a general conversation, it's "we." If it's more of a direct conversation to a part of my mind, it's "you." If I'm talking about myself to a third-party, such as this response, it's "I."

[–] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago

We. You are a combination of all the entities living on or in you. We are Us.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 6 days ago (1 children)

It took me a moment to realise this was about inner monologues.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

Could be thinking out loud or reflection via writing 🤷‍♂️

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Distancing yourself from yourself, like an external narrator

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

More the equivalent of a parent using your full name before telling you to do something... But it is your own mental monologue.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

It varies between people, but for me it alternates!

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago

The passive voice is often used.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Both, but it also depends on if I’m winning the argument or they are.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago

I call myself by name, like a parent scolding their child.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago
[–] [email protected] 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

“One” for me as well. No need to be so informal just because it’s all in my head.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

There are multiple voices, one says "I" while the others respond with "you" if they are disagreeing, or "we" if they agree.

  • I should shave
  • Yes we should
  • No, you shouldn't. You look stupid.
  • I think that's right, I'm not shaving.
[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 days ago

If it's my internal monologue it's usually "I"

If I'm writing about myself (like a journal) then also "I"

If it's a note to remind myself of something then "you"

I have written letters to myself in the future and those are always "you"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

“We”. Not sure why. I guess it’s me and the person I’m talking to (who is also me)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

I use I unless I'm insulting or denigrating myself, then it's usually you

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago

Both. "I am an idiot." "You should know better."

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

"We"

"Do we think that leftover scree was important? Do we remember where it came from?"

"We need to get some more sleep."

Sometimes it's "You" when referring to the lazy, scared, or angry one.

"You're overreacting. You'll be fine. You're upset over nothing."

Never I.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

I am an "I".

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

In my languages we don't usually use pronouns because verbs conjugations make them redundant, but I use both first and second person.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 days ago

I think I mix them interchangeably. Much to the chagrin of my English teachers.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

Yes. I says to you.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Always I. Didn't know other people didn't always use I apparently.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 days ago

I get "you" and "I". I'm still astonished that some people seem to use "we".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

You. And also the pet name that my late husband used for me, if I'm feeling especially pitiful or otherwise in need of encouragement.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

Yes, and sometimes other things.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

Both, with a slight preference for "I".

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

I, we, you, they, kinda all of them. I kinda make up characters in my head and assign them positions and personalities based on the need of the moment, and address them as appropriate. I don't give them names or anything, it's more like 'that dick who keeps telling me to get off my ass and be productive can piss off', etc.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago

"I" or "we" in English, German is mostly reserved for deep thoughts where I rarely need to address myself but if I do I think I use "ich" ("I") as well. "You" wouldn't feel right for me personally.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Depends which side of myself is currently speaking.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

We and us-- "let's go do blah, we ought to blah"