Second Person

English grammar is not very complicated it just needs a little bit of concentration and understanding. When it comes to English literature, it is yet simpler. Have you heard about the terms first person, second person and third person?

Yes, they are grammar/literature terms and are used to describe the format of the written text. If not, don’t worry.

Today we will discuss about the second person. For first and third person, refer to my other articles with names First Person and Second Person respectively.

Second Person

The term second person is used to describe a clause or piece of text in which the author is not referring to himself or herself but is referring to the second person that is you. When people being addressed are referred to in a sentence, the nature of the sentence is second person.

Example:

You are late for dinner.

In the above simple sentence, the author is addressing the second person and telling him that he is late for dinner. The term you indicates that this is second person view.

Second Person in English Literature

In English literature, i.e. English novels and textbooks, the context of the text can be of second person. When the author writes from the point of view of the person that is not him but the one he is addressing, the point of view is called second person.

Example:

It was dark outside when you suddenly decided to go for a walk.

Consider this sentence taken from a piece of English literature. In this example, the author is writing in the second person view as is evident from the use of you.

The second person also refers to the text in which the person/writer talks about opinions and views of the person that he is addressing.

Example:

Your sweater is one size big for you.

The above example is another example of first person view. The context of the sentence makes it very clear that the author is referring to the point opinion of the addressee. The use of your is another trick to figure out that the sentence is in first person view.

Second Person Pronouns

Although very simple, but if you still find yourself confused about it here’s a trick. In order to identify the nature or view of the sentence or text i.e. weather it is in first person or second or third, a simple trick is to look at the pronouns used.

The second person point of view always uses a set number of pronouns that depict that the text is referring to the author.

These pronouns include: you/your/yours

Example:

You were determined that the bag was yours.