Compare:
you'll [you will] /juːl/
you will: The longer vowel is on the former word: (y)ou, so the contraction retains it and drops the shorter vowel sound (w) i ll – you'll.
y'all [you all] /jɔːl/
you all: The longer vowel is on the latter word: a(ll), so the contraction retains it and drops the shorter vowel sound (y) ou – y'all.
Videos
Do Brits shorten "you all" to "you'll"?
contractions - Why is "you all" contracted to "y'all" and not "you'll"? - English Language & Usage Stack Exchange
What does you'll mean?
"Y'all" or "You guys"
What is an interrogative adjective?
What is an interrogative adverb?
What is the difference between coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions?
Just saw a Brit comment on a post: "I can get behind you'll on this one." Then, when a few people questioned the "you'll", vs the American "y'all," they responded "This Brit shortened you'll meaning you all. Maybe it's a British thing."
So...is it?
Compare:
you'll [you will] /juːl/
you will: The longer vowel is on the former word: (y)ou, so the contraction retains it and drops the shorter vowel sound (w) i ll – you'll.
y'all [you all] /jɔːl/
you all: The longer vowel is on the latter word: a(ll), so the contraction retains it and drops the shorter vowel sound (y) ou – y'all.
I believe this is because you'll is already a contraction for you will.
I have heard that "You guys" is more common in the northern part of the U.S., and "Y'all" is more common in the southern part of the U.S. However, I have seen New Yorkers say "Y'all" as well.
So here are my questions:
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which is better, "You guys" or "Y'all"? What is your opinion?
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what words do you use to refer to more than one person in the UK?
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is "You guys" an expression that can be used even if the group includes women?
thx!