Please reconsider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please reconsider" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to think again about a decision or opinion they have expressed. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I believe it would be beneficial for you to please reconsider your initial stance on the budget allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Please reconsider.

The New Yorker

Please reconsider your art".

The New Yorker

Please reconsider this?

The Guardian - Sport

Please reconsider, Costa.

The Guardian - Books

Please reconsider, Jeremy.

The Guardian

"Please reconsider," pleaded one commenter.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

We can't wait another four years, I really implore you as a citizen of this country, to please, sir, reconsider.

The New York Times

He said: "Penguin: please urgently reconsider this decision and give the workers – who make your company the huge success that it is – the rights and protections that they deserve".

The Guardian - Books

Guardian columnist Owen Jones, whose book The Establishment was published by Penguin in 2014, said: "Penguin: please urgently reconsider this decision and give the workers – who make your company the huge success that it is – the rights and protections that they deserve".

The Guardian - Books

1936 Lehman May Run for Roosevelt The impression that Governor Herbert H. Lehman of New York will yield to please Rooseveltians and reconsider his decision not to run for another term at Albany grew steadily today [June 23] among delegates gathered here for the Democratic National Convention.

The New York Times

Do I have enough time to invest to do a worthwhile job? (Good social media marketing is time-consuming!) If you answered 'no' or 'not sure' to any of the above questions, please take some time to reconsider your social media marketing investment".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally polite, "Please reconsider" can sound passive-aggressive if used insincerely or sarcastically. Ensure your tone matches your words.

Common error

While "Please reconsider" is polite, it may not be forceful enough in situations requiring immediate or decisive action. In highly emotional or urgent situations, consider a more direct approach to ensure your message is clearly understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please reconsider" functions as an imperative, directly requesting the listener or reader to rethink a previous decision or action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English, serving as a polite yet firm way to suggest re-evaluation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please reconsider" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for politely requesting someone to rethink a decision or action. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is versatile enough for various contexts, ranging from news articles to formal requests. While the phrase is broadly applicable, remember to consider the specific context and the level of formality required. For situations needing stronger language, alternatives like "I urge you to rethink" or "I implore you to rethink" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I ask you to think again

Direct and simple, appealing to a second thought.

I urge you to rethink

More emphatic and direct, expressing a strong desire for reconsideration.

I implore you to rethink

Emphatic and earnest, conveying a heartfelt request.

I advise you to reevaluate

More formal and advisory, suggesting a careful reassessment.

Would you mind reconsidering?

Polite and indirect, softening the request.

I suggest you rethink

A softer and more polite suggestion for reconsideration.

I would like you to reconsider

Formal and polite, expressing a preference for reconsideration.

Please think it over

Suggests contemplation and reflection before a final decision.

Perhaps you should reconsider

Indirect and hesitant, offering a gentle suggestion.

Give it another thought

Informal and encouraging, suggesting a brief reconsideration.

FAQs

How can I use "Please reconsider" in a sentence?

You can use "Please reconsider" when asking someone to re-evaluate a decision or action. For example: "After reviewing the data, I ask you to please reconsider your initial assessment."

What are some alternatives to saying "Please reconsider"?

You can use alternatives like "I urge you to rethink", "I advise you to reevaluate", or "I ask you to think again" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "Please reconsider"?

While generally polite, "Please reconsider" can be inappropriate if used sarcastically or in contexts requiring immediate, forceful action. Be mindful of your tone and the urgency of the situation.

What's the difference between "Please reconsider" and "Please revise"?

"Please reconsider" asks someone to think again about a decision or stance. "Please revise", on the other hand, specifically asks for changes to be made to something already created, like a document or plan.