What is the Difference Between Thee, Thou and Thine?

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The words "thee," "thou," and "thine" are Early Modern English second person singular pronouns that have mostly been replaced by the word "you" in modern English. They were used to express familiarity, formality, or contempt, and each had a specific function in a sentence:

  1. Thou: This is the subject form (nominative) used when the second person is the subject of the sentence, such as "Thou art here" (You are here).
  2. Thee: This is the object form used when the second person is the object of the sentence, such as "He gave it to thee".
  3. Thine: This is the possessive form, used to indicate ownership or possession, similar to "your" and "yours" in modern English. For example, "This above all: to thine own self be true" from Hamlet, Act I, Scene III.

It is important to note that these pronouns were not used consistently across all contexts, and their usage varied depending on the relationship between the speakers, the social status of the addressee, and the level of formality or familiarity in the situation.

Comparative Table: Thee, Thou vs Thine

Here is a table that explains the difference between the terms "thee," "thou," and "thine":

Term Meaning Use
thee You (when the object) Writing liketh thee (Writing likes you)
thou You (when the subject) Thou liketh writing (You like writing)
thy Your (possessive form of you) Thy blade well serves thee (Your blade serves you well)
thine Your (possessive form of you, typically used before a noun) Thine writing smacks of mastery (Your writing demonstrates mastery)

These terms are archaic personal pronouns, used primarily in older literature or historical fiction. "Thou" is the subject form (nominative), "thee" is the object form, and "thy" and "thine" are the possessive forms.