How do you properly use the words thee and thou?

"Thee" and "thou" are pronouns that are part of the second-person singular in older forms of English, specifically thee being the object form and thou being the subject form. This means:

* Thou is used when the person is the subject of the verb:

* Thou art a good friend.

* Thou hast a kind heart.

* Thee is used when the person is the object of the verb or preposition:

* I love thee.

* Give the book to thee.

Here's a breakdown of the common forms:

| Pronoun | Modern Equivalent | Use |

|---|---|---|

| Thou | You | Subject of the verb |

| Thee | You | Object of the verb or preposition |

| Thy | Your | Possessive adjective |

| Thine | Yours | Possessive adjective (used before words starting with a vowel sound) |

Modern Usage:

* Thee and thou are rarely used in modern English. They are primarily used:

* In religious contexts (especially Quakers and other religious groups)

* In literature (especially Shakespeare and other works of older English)

* For poetic effect

* As a playful or ironic way of speaking

Important Notes:

* Thee and thou are formal pronouns, and their use can sometimes sound archaic or even rude.

* Be aware of the context when using them.

* If you are unsure about their use, it's best to stick with modern English.

Here are some examples of using "thee" and "thou" in different contexts:

* Religious Context: "Thou art my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)

* Literature: "Thou art thyself, though not a human being." (Mary Shelley, *Frankenstein*)

* Poetic Effect: "O, my love, thou art my sun and moon!" (Shakespeare, *Romeo and Juliet*)

* Playful/Ironic: "Hark, thou knave! Dost thou know the time?"

Remember, using "thee" and "thou" correctly requires a good understanding of their grammatical function and a sense of appropriate context.