Please

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'please' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is a polite way of making a request, request or suggestion. Example sentence: Please keep me up to date with any changes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please, no.

The New York Times

"Please forgive me".

The New York Times

Please stop.

The New York Times

Suggestions please?

The Guardian - Opinion

Please ensure GNM has acknowledged your notice of cancellation.

The Guardian

Please note that no correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful candidates.

The Guardian

Email:[email protected] (please don't send attachments).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like to write a blogpost for Views from the NHS frontline, then please read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing [email protected].

The Guardian

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All correspondence should reach us by Tuesday morning: email [email protected] (please don't send attachments) or write to Private Lives, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please: Tell us why it's a worthy contender.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your requests by using more elaborate phrases like "Would you mind...?" for a softer approach.

Common error

Avoid using "Please" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can come across as insincere or even passive-aggressive. Opt for varying your sentence structure with different polite requests to convey respect without sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Please" is as an interjection used to add politeness to a request or command. It modifies the tone of the sentence, signaling respect or deference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and grammatically correct term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Music

5%

Sport

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please" is a versatile interjection used to soften requests and convey politeness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, especially in News & Media and Lifestyle content. While generally neutral in register, its overuse should be avoided. Mastering the art of polite requests involves varying your language and understanding when to use alternatives like "Kindly" or "Could you" for a more nuanced and appropriate tone. Remember to consider the context and your relationship with the recipient when using "Please".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could you

This is a direct but polite way to ask someone to do something.

Kindly

This is a more formal way to make a request.

May I ask you to

This phrase is a polite way to introduce a request.

If you would

This phrase introduces a conditional request and is slightly less direct.

I ask that you

This phrase is a more formal and direct request.

I'd be grateful if you would

Expresses gratitude in advance for fulfilling the request.

I would appreciate it if you could

This is a formal expression of request and gratitude.

I request that you

This is a formal way to make a request or demand.

Would you be so kind as to

This phrase is a very polite and formal way of making a request.

Do me a favor and

This is an informal way to ask for something.

FAQs

How do I use "Please" in a sentence?

"Please" can be used at the beginning or end of a sentence to make a polite request. For example, "Please help me" or "Could you help me, "please"".

What's a more formal alternative to "Please"?

More formal alternatives include "Kindly", "I would appreciate it if you could", or "Would you be so kind as to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically incorrect to omit "Please" from a request?

No, omitting "Please" doesn't make a request grammatically incorrect, but it can make it sound less polite or more direct. The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing.

Can "Please" be used in contexts other than making requests?

Yes, "Please" can also express desire or satisfaction. For instance, you might say "Just do as you "please"", indicating someone has the freedom to act according to their own wishes.