YOU gotta ask yourself a question

[Floydian]

Hi all,

When you say "Gotta ask yourself a question" is it necessary to put "you" pronoun first (just like the thread title)?

Thanks.

 

[JulianStuart]

Welcome to the forum!

Are you trying to write dialogue for an action film or trying to write formal, written English? The answer to your question will depend on how the words will be used.

 

[Floydian]

Thanks!!!

I'm just wrinting lyrics, but could you give me an example of both of them?

Thanks again.

 

[compaqdrew]

No, with "yourself" in general the context is clear and no "You" is required in an informal context (although it's not correct English, it's common enough in practice).

"Gotta" is informal as it is, and dropping the "You" doesn't make it any less formal than it is already.

 

[JulianStuart]

Your first version works fine in song lyrics - they are often not "grammatically" correct. As long as your meaning is clear that's all that matters. Compaq has addressed the specific question.

Formal, written English would look something like "You must ask yourself a question" or "You have got to ask yourself a question".

 

[Floydian]

It's clear now... thanks for the replies!