A noun is something that refers to something independent of the context. Think: "9/11", "American war crimes in Vietnam and Korea", and "Guantanamo bay". The thing(s) it's referring to doesn't change depending on who you're speaking to (the context).
A pronoun is something that refers to something dependent on the context. Think: "He", "She", "They", and "You". The thing(s) it's referring to depends on who you're speaking to or about (the context).
'Guys' is a pronoun as the thing (people) it's referring to changes depending on who you're speaking to.
There are a lot of books in the world so anytime I use the word "book" you have to use context to know which one I'm talking about. It's still a noun (as is "guy").
Sure, "book" and "guy" may be improper nouns. "Guys" ('guy' plural) may also be an improper noun but when used to refer to the group of people you're speaking towards (as in "guys I'm trapped in the elevator"), it's used as a pronoun.
It could also be argued that "guys" used in that context isn't a noun or pronoun at all but rather just a filler word as it doesn't communicate any meaning (you are implicitly talking to the people you are talking towards).
A noun is something that refers to something independent of the context. Think: "9/11", "American war crimes in Vietnam and Korea", and "Guantanamo bay". The thing(s) it's referring to doesn't change depending on who you're speaking to (the context).
A pronoun is something that refers to something dependent on the context. Think: "He", "She", "They", and "You". The thing(s) it's referring to depends on who you're speaking to or about (the context).
'Guys' is a pronoun as the thing (people) it's referring to changes depending on who you're speaking to.
There are a lot of books in the world so anytime I use the word "book" you have to use context to know which one I'm talking about. It's still a noun (as is "guy").
Sure, "book" and "guy" may be improper nouns. "Guys" ('guy' plural) may also be an improper noun but when used to refer to the group of people you're speaking towards (as in "guys I'm trapped in the elevator"), it's used as a pronoun.
It could also be argued that "guys" used in that context isn't a noun or pronoun at all but rather just a filler word as it doesn't communicate any meaning (you are implicitly talking to the people you are talking towards).
Isn't it just a noun used as direct address?
You're correct, actually.