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Thou is an objective form of Thee.

That is, thou was used as the subject of a sentence while thee was used as the object of a verb. Observe the sentences below:

Thou art a friend indeed. (You are truly a friend.)

If I have offended thee, speak truthfully to me. (If I have offended you, tell me honestly.)

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13y ago
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1w ago

"Thou" is the subject form of the second person singular pronoun, while "thee" is the object form. In modern English, "you" is commonly used as both the subjective and objective form for the second person singular and plural.

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13y ago

Most European languages have a formal and an informal 'you' form. You use the formal 'you' to people who are older, or who you don't know too well, and you use the informal with children, friends, relatives, pets and God. English used to have a formal 'you' and an informal 'thou'. But the informal gradually disappeared. People started saying 'you' to their dogs and children.

The difference between 'thou' and 'thee' is analogous to the difference between 'he' and 'him'. Wherever you would say 'he', you say 'thou', and wherever you would say 'him', you say 'thee'. 'His' corresponds to 'thy' and 'thine' . The difference between 'thy' and 'thine' is the same as the difference between 'my' and 'mine'.

He is handsome. > Thou art handsome.

I love him. > I love thee.

This is my book. > This is thy book.

This book is mine. > This book is thine.

Also, verbs conjugate differently with 'thou':

I am

Thou art

He is

We/you/they are

Other 'thou' inflections:

thou wast (not thou was or were)

thou hast (not thou has)

thou canst, hopest, makest, etc.

  • Actually, "you" was the object of formal singular or just plural "ye". It later became a subjective pronoun in the formal sense that coexisted with "ye" before totally replacing it. "Ye" also was used as an objective pronoun such as in "God rest ye merry gentlemen".
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Q: What is the difference between thou and thee?
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Related questions

What is thee and thou in old English?

Thee and thou mean "you" in old english.


Can you make some sentences using thee thou thy etc?

Certainly! Here are some sentences using thee, thou, thy: I beseech thee, do not leave me. Thou art my dearest friend. Thy presence brings me great joy. I offer this gift to thee in gratitude.


What is the literary meaning of thee?

To thrive; to prosper., The objective case of thou. See Thou.


How do you properly use the words thee and thou?

"Thee" and "thou" are archaic or formal English pronouns used in place of "you." "Thee" is the object form, while "thou" is the subject form. Use "thee" when referring to the object of a sentence (e.g., "I love thee"), and "thou" when referring to the subject (e.g., "Thou art kind").


May the Lord watch between you and thee found in the new testament?

No, it is not in the NT. But you can find it in Genesis:And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. Gen 31:49-50 (KJV)


Get thee to a why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners?

nunnery


Do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise until thou shalt know the reason of'?

That isn't a question stupid


What is the modern word for the archaic word thee?

The modern English word for "thee" is you. Thee and thou are used the same way as our modern you and your.


How do you answer 'how art thou?

"Fine, I thank thee", or possibly "Lousy, I thank thee not", or even "None of thy damn business." In any case "How art thou"="How are you" and can be answered accordingly.


What evidence from the text leads you to believe that dagger Macbeth sees is an illusion?

"Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still."


Thou art too brief you will the Second Time as you would buy thee?

view thee limb


How do you spell thee?

The spelling "thee" is an archaic term for "you" (opposite case is thou, possessives thy and thine).