Stylistics of person-number suffixes

The person-number suffixes of the verb show the performer of the action and the number of performers, but in speech they are also used figuratively. In colloquial, artistic and publicistic speech the first-person plural stands in place of the singular and expresses modesty, sometimes self-importance or mockery: «Bu masalani ertaga hal qilamiz» (“We will settle this tomorrow”, said by one person); in scientific works the author’s “biz” (“we”) expresses modesty. In the second person -siz is specialised for respect, i.e. formal «siz» address, and -san for informal «sen» address. When respect or disrespect must be strengthened, -lar is added: «Yaxshi o‘qibsizlar» (“You have read well”, respectful, to several people), «nega jim turibsanlar» (“why are you standing silent”, rude, to several). The imperative suffix -ing expresses respect; for formal address to several people -inglar is used, for informal address in conversation -laring. In the third person -lar is added to show respect: «Ustozim keldilar» (“My teacher has come”).