{"id":51761,"date":"2017-09-21T01:51:14","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T01:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/127.0.0.1\/aee\/aee-813-use-words-like-thou-thus-everyday-english\/"},"modified":"2023-04-25T15:50:10","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T15:50:10","slug":"aee-813-use-words-like-thou-thus-everyday-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allearsenglish.com\/aee-813-use-words-like-thou-thus-everyday-english\/","title":{"rendered":"AEE 813: Should You Use Words Like “Thou” and “Thus” in Everyday English?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When was the last time you used \u201cthou\u201d to address someone?<\/span><\/p>\n

Today we have a question from a listener about the words “thou” and “thus.”<\/p>\n

We’ll explain how common or uncommon these words are and whether you should adopt them into your everyday English vocabulary <\/a>when you speak with natives.<\/a><\/p>\n

Let’s look at a question from our listener:<\/p>\n

Hi  Lindsay and Michelle.  I hope you have  an excellent weekend I am so grateful, with you guys , the work you do it is amazing and great I love your podcasts they are the best way to improve my English, ever since  I heard  you I have noticed quite a bit my improvement and I will continue doing this because I enjoy it a lot and I have some questions that are getting me confused it is about the words: thou and  thus. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Thou = tu ( in spanish ) and  thus = asi (in spanish too) but I get confused.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

 I do not know if they are common words, most  of the time  it is used ” you ”  and  “so” or “then”  and I would like an clear explanation. <\/strong><\/em>I hope you could help me please thanks in advance \ud83d\ude42<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Our first thought when we read your question:<\/strong><\/p>\n

RED FLAG! <\/span><\/p>\n

What kind of English are listening to? <\/span><\/p>\n

Where is it coming from? <\/span><\/p>\n

This is old English!<\/span><\/p>\n

You should be listening to more current and natural stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n

So first, reconsider your listening choices and find something current and relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"All<\/a>Make sure you understand every word you hear on All Ears English.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bring your English to the advanced level with new vocabulary and natural expressions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get the transcripts from today\u2019s episode.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn to speak naturally with the American accent.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here to save 50% and subscribe to them instantly.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

“THOU”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognize when these words are being used in a sarcastic way especially \u201cthou.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t use it AT ALL to directly say \u201cyou.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead we use it to set a tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

It can be found in certain famous chunks and phrases.<\/p>\n

The most famous and current one is, \u201cHolier than thou.”<\/span><\/p>\n

What does “holier than thou” mean?<\/p>\n

It can be used when you want to describe someone or something that displays an \u201cair of moral superiority\u201d like when someone has just discovered a religious practice or even a new diet and you want to say that they are judging others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out this example:<\/p>\n

 <\/span>A: Hey have you talked to Meg lately? Did you know she\u2019s been getting into meditation?<\/span><\/p>\n

B: Yeah I know. I wouldn\u2019t mind it if she weren\u2019t putting off this \u201cholier than thou\u201d vibe these days.<\/span><\/p>\n

A: True, you can be a meditator and not judge others who don\u2019t meditate.<\/span><\/p>\n

So when it comes to \u201cthou\u201d it\u2019s used in a more sarcastic way. Don’t use it in a literal sense to mean “you.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless you want to go back to Shakespeakere English, but no one talks like a Shakesperean play these days.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to connect with native speakers then you need to use current English.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTHUS\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

What does it mean? It means “therefore.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This one is not as obsolete as “thou” but you still need to choose the right situation to make it sound relevant and current.<\/span><\/p>\n

I think it sounds articualte to insert it sometimes.<\/span><\/p>\n

I would say “therefore” more often than “thus” because it comes to my mind faster.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Thus” could also be used in writing:<\/strong><\/p>\n