German grammar help needed
in Miscellaneous ·
If we want to ask "how are you?"
"How are you doing?" (informal singular) refers specifically to one person you are on casual terms with.
"How are you?" (formal version) is used when you want to show respect. It isn't actually a second-person singular form used formally; rather, it functions as the third-person plural used for politeness. So, you would ask, "How are you?"
"How are you all doing?" (plural) is what you use when addressing a group.
If you want to ask about a group of other people—asking "how are they?" (third-person plural)—you would say, "How are they doing?" In this context, "they" remains lowercase. The only time you capitalize it is when you are using the formal "You" to show respect; that is the key distinction.😁
The third-person plural is "they," while the formal "You" is capitalized.
Or, if it’s easier to remember, you could simply ask, "How are your Parents doing?"
"How are you doing?" (informal singular) refers specifically to one person you are on casual terms with.
"How are you?" (formal version) is used when you want to show respect. It isn't actually a second-person singular form used formally; rather, it functions as the third-person plural used for politeness. So, you would ask, "How are you?"
"How are you all doing?" (plural) is what you use when addressing a group.
If you want to ask about a group of other people—asking "how are they?" (third-person plural)—you would say, "How are they doing?" In this context, "they" remains lowercase. The only time you capitalize it is when you are using the formal "You" to show respect; that is the key distinction.😁
The third-person plural is "they," while the formal "You" is capitalized.
Or, if it’s easier to remember, you could simply ask, "How are your Parents doing?"
