I have really been bothered lately about my use of this word. I instinctively type it one way, but the rules of grammar (or is it spelling) dictate that I do it a different way. I've noticed this word used both ways on several blog's here...at least on those who are from the south. So please help me settle this once and for all! 
And feel free to leave any thoughts/comments. Oh and be HONEST on how you usually spell it!
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<tr><td colspan=2><font face="Arial" size=-1 color="#008888"><b>Do you ever use the word ya'll/y'all? If so, do you prefer y'all or ya'll?</b></font></td></tr>
<tr><td width=10><input type=radio name=answer value=1></td><td><font face="Arial" size=-1 color="#008888">No.</font></td></tr>
<tr><td width=10><input type=radio name=answer value=2></td><td><font face="Arial" size=-1 color="#008888">Yes, and the correct way to spell it is Y'ALL!</font></td></tr>
<tr><td width=10><input type=radio name=answer value=3></td><td><font face="Arial" size=-1 color="#008888">Yes, and the correct way to spell it is YA'LL!</font></td></tr>
<tr><td width=10><input type=radio name=answer value=4></td><td><font face="Arial" size=-1 color="#008888">Absolutely not! I refuse to butcher the English language.</font></td></tr>
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8 comments:
. . . because it's a contraction of "you all." The apostrophe replaces the O, U, and space.
It's a daily part of my vocabulary as a Mississippian. :)
Mary Jo Tate
...I just can't help it! I tried to reform once...but couldn't do it. I'm a y'all user through and through! Too many years living in TEXAS I suppose. :) And I also agree that it is a contraction of you all. Hope you're having a great evening Marsha!
I always say ya'll, but I never really thought about how you spell it. I always spell it ya'll. Looking at the 'grammar' rules, I see that it prob'ly should really be y'all for You All.
Y'all just doesn't *look* right to me. But I never claim to be a professional. :-D
Blessings,
Amy Beth <><
Marsha,
I just learned a year or so ago that it was You All shortened. So I officially know that it is grammatically correct to spell it "y'all". But actually before I knew it was You All, I thought it could be Ya All, but that doesn't work very well.
Enjoyed reading about your trip to Korea and your first few days of trying to start school. You sound similar to me in my approach. Sonlight sounds very interesting, too. But right now I'm pretty happy with what we have going for us. Isn't it just a fun juggling act to try and school with little ones around! When you figure out the "trick" let me know! LOL
I also wanted to comment that I, too, enjoy playing my flute!
Have a great homeschooling day!
Laura
I definitely use it, and I definitely believe it to be a contraction of you and all, correctly spelled "y'all."
But, more important, to me, is to emphasize to yankees that y'all is NEVER singular! LOL
It's You'll.
As in: "You'll come back again, you hear?"
Y'ALL, no doubt about it. You can take my word for it as a native Texan. ;)
that is a wonderful family picture:)
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