us
us
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "us" is /ʌs/.
/ʌs/
Word Form Variations
Pronoun: us (objective case, plural first person)
Noun: us (informal, referring to oneself and a group or identity) - no plural in this sense.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Pronoun
Definition 1: The objective case of "we," referring to the speaker or writer and one or more other people. Used as the object of a verb or preposition.
Synonyms: ourselves (reflexive), (informal) we (when used as subject, though grammatically prescriptive grammar advises against this)
Antonyms: them, you (plural), him, her (as other pronouns)
Definition 2 (informal/dialectal): Used to refer to oneself or a general group in an inclusive way.
Example usage: "Give us a call when you're free." (Often an informal substitute for "me" or "us collectively")
Synonyms: me (informal), people (general)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym for this specific informal usage)
Noun
Definition 1 (informal): One's self and the group one belongs to; a collective identity.
Synonyms: our side, our team, our community, our people
Antonyms: them, the other side, outsiders, rivals
Definition 2 (informal): The feeling of collective identity or unity.
Synonyms: togetherness, camaraderie, esprit de corps, solidarity
Antonyms: division, separation, disunity, individualism
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859)
"The book explores the challenges that face us as a society in the digital age." (From a non-fiction book on sociology or futurism)
"The hero declared, 'No one will defeat us while we stand together!'" (Fictional example from an epic fantasy or adventure novel)
Newspapers:
"The government appealed to all citizens to join us in the fight against corruption." (Daily Nation)
"The latest economic report provides a stark look at the challenges ahead of us." (Business Daily Africa)
"What unites us as Kenyans is far stronger than what divides us." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Contact us for support: Our team is ready to help you with any questions." (A common call to action on a company's website, e.g., Safaricom)
"Learn how to build a stronger community with us: Join our online forum today!" (A promotional announcement on a social platform, e.g., Facebook Groups)
"The new privacy features put control back in the hands of us, the users." (A tech article on "TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Here's looking at you, kid." (Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, 1942) - This implies a direct address to another, often reciprocated by a feeling of "you looking at us."
Television Series: "Previously, on 'The Walking Dead': They tried to trick us, but we saw through their lies." (Narration at the beginning of an episode)
Song Lyrics: "All you need is love. Love is all you need." (The Beatles, "All You Need Is Love," 1967) - This speaks to universal needs that apply to "us" all.
Video Games: "The fate of the world rests on us. We must not fail!" (Dialogue from a main character to a companion, e.g., Final Fantasy VII)
Podcasts: "Join us next week as we explore the mysteries of the universe." (A podcast host's closing remarks)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you come with us to the market?" (A common question)
"They invited us for dinner tonight." (A common statement about social plans)
"It's up to us to make a difference." (A common motivational statement)
"Give us a call when you get home." (An informal request)
"What unites us as a family is our shared history." (A common reflection on family bonds)
"Don't tell them, it's just between us." (A statement implying secrecy)
"The teacher gave us a lot of homework." (A common complaint from students)
"We need two more minutes." (Often stated as "Give us two more minutes," colloquial in Kenya)
"It's all us against the world." (Expressing solidarity and defiance)
"That's us!" (Informal, indicating "that's us finished" or "that's where we are")
10 Quotes Using Us
"Let us go then, you and I." (T.S. Eliot, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," 1915)
"Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11, The Lord's Prayer, Biblical)
"Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality." (Malala Yousafzai, acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2014)
"They can conquer who believe they can." (Virgil) - This implies a collective belief that empowers "us."
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its boots." (Often attributed to Mark Twain) - This speaks to the slow pace that truth sometimes takes to reach "us."
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, Biblical)
"Let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof." (John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961)
"Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act, falls the Shadow." (T.S. Eliot, "The Hollow Men," 1925) - This relates to the space that exists for "us" between thought and action.
"All you need is love." (The Beatles, "All You Need Is Love," 1967) - This is often interpreted as a universal message for all of "us."
"Let us reason together." (Isaiah 1:18, Biblical)
Etymology
The word "us" is one of the oldest and most fundamental words in the English language, with incredibly deep roots.
It comes directly from the Old English word ūs.
This Old English word was the objective case (meaning it's used as the object of a verb or preposition) of the first-person plural pronoun "we."
Ūs itself traces back to Proto-Germanic (uns) and then to an even older Proto-Indo-European root (n̥s-) that was the basic form for the first-person plural objective pronoun across many ancient languages.
So, the first known use of "us" in English, with the meaning of "the speaker/writer and one or more others as the object of an action or preposition," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). It has been a core part of how English speakers refer to themselves and a group when they are the recipient of an action or are affected by something, for well over a thousand years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Us
Between us: Confidential; known only by the people involved in the conversation.
Give us a hand: Help us.
Let us (do something): A polite way to suggest or propose an action.
Trust us: A common phrase to assure someone of reliability or good intentions.
Come join us: An invitation to participate.
Leave us alone: A request for privacy or to be unbothered.
Help us out: To provide assistance to a group.
It's all about us: Focusing on one's own group or relationship.
Give us a shout: (Informal) Contact us; let us know.
The spirit of 'us': (Original) The feeling of unity and shared identity within a group.
Just us chickens: (Informal, humorous) Used to imply that only a small, specific group is involved or remaining.
It's up to us: It is our responsibility or decision.
All of us: Every member of the group.
To be in this together: To face a shared situation as a group.
What unites us: The commonalities that bring a group together.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of us from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
