Please be seated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please be seated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal settings, such as events, meetings, or gatherings, to invite people to take their seats. Example: "As the ceremony is about to begin, please be seated and silence your phones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Please be seated," he said.

The New York Times

Please be seated: there's more.

The New York Times - Arts

Please Be Seated In restaurants or buildings with single-occupancy restrooms, one for men and one for women, is it gauche to use the opposite-sex-designated restroom?

The New York Times

Please be seated Gut instinct Backwards and forwards ReprintsIf the speed of the nuclei (a consequence of their temperature) and their density (a consequence of the magnetic squeezing) can both be made high enough, that will overcome the mutual repulsion of the nuclei's positive electric charges.

The Economist

Please be seated.

The New York Times

Then, as if to prove the point, he says to the spellbound audience, "Please be seated".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Please, everybody be seated.

Huffington Post

And that he is so warm and gracious and hospitable: "John, please, let us be seated and drink something".

The Guardian - Film

We always seemed to be at the margins of places: the driveway of the Fontainebleau Hilton, or the glassed-in elevator leading to a rooftop restaurant where we could momentarily peek over the "Please Wait to Be Seated" sign at the endless ocean below, the Old World we had left behind so far and yet deceptively near.

The New Yorker

Soon after, we find the young scientist at dinner in Copenhagen pleased not to be seated near the great Niels Bohr, "who was likely to be expressing thoughts that no one around him, Danish or foreign, could understand".

The New York Times - Books

You may be seated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Please be seated" in formal announcements or when addressing a group to maintain a polite and orderly atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "Please be seated" in very casual settings; phrases like "Sit down" or "Take a seat" are more appropriate for informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please be seated" functions as an imperative, directing or inviting people to sit down. It is used to ensure order and provide comfort, primarily in formal contexts, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please be seated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to formally invite individuals or groups to sit down. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in news and media, indicating its relevance in professional and public contexts. When using this phrase, consider the setting and audience to ensure it aligns with the level of formality required. While alternatives like "take a seat" or "sit down" exist, "Please be seated" remains a preferred choice for maintaining a respectful and organized atmosphere in formal events and announcements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be seated, please

Reorders the phrase for slightly different emphasis.

Kindly be seated

Substitutes "please" with "kindly" for a more formal tone.

Take a seat, please

Uses "take a seat" instead of "be seated", offering a more casual tone.

Please sit down

Employs the simpler "sit down" instead of "be seated".

Have a seat, please

Uses "have a seat" as an alternative to "take a seat".

You may be seated

Offers permission to sit down, often used in formal settings.

Please take your seats

Addresses a group, specifying "your seats".

All rise and be seated

Part of a sequence of instructions, including standing before sitting.

Everyone, please sit

Directs everyone to sit, using a more informal verb.

I invite you to be seated

A more formal and elaborate way of asking someone to sit.

FAQs

How to use "Please be seated" in a sentence?

You can use "Please be seated" to formally invite people to sit, such as in the sentence, "The speaker will begin shortly, "please be seated"".

What can I say instead of "Please be seated"?

You can use alternatives like "take a seat", "sit down", or "you may be seated" depending on the formality of the situation.

Which is correct, "Please be seated" or "Please sit down"?

"Please be seated" is more formal, suitable for events and announcements. "Please sit down" is less formal and can be used in more casual settings.

What's the difference between "Please be seated" and "take a seat"?

"Please be seated" is a formal invitation to sit, often used when addressing a group. "Take a seat" is more informal and commonly used when addressing an individual.