after you please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after you please" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to politely invite someone to go ahead of you or take their turn. Example: "Please, go ahead and speak; after you please." Alternative expressions include "after you," "please go ahead," and "you first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

* Be as polite as the locals: one of the great pleasures is standing next to a lift saying after you, no after you, please... * Don't go during Ramadan - Iran grinds to a halt.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eat a small bowl or parfait dish after dinner if you please.

WikiHow

This is the Hollywood Athletic club, after all; dress as you please.

Los Angeles Times

He then delivers a humiliating lesson in etiquette, telling the Captain that he must always say "if you please" after giving an order; for "A British sailor is any man's equal" – excepting Sir Joseph's.

Wikipedia

The roof is a place, after all, to do as you please.

The New York Times

In the years after the publication of "Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?," Carver wrote a series of stories dwelling on alcoholism and wrecked marriages.

The New Yorker

Each week an email hits my inbox – the weekly email from the Conservative culture team, if you please – which, after months of ignoring, I have recently started reading.

The Guardian

After you watch, please leave us a comment!

University of California, Berkeley

After you eat, please give each of the dishes a little rinse before putting them in the dishwasher.

The New Yorker

If you change your mind after you arrive, please be aware that it may take up to two weeks before we will be able to remove the loft and replace it with standard bed legs.

Duke University

After you enter, please consider helping RMGO roll back gun control in Colorado by contributing $50, $25, or even $15 to the fight.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In instructional contexts, follow the query with a specific verb to ensure clarity, such as "After you eat, please rinse the dishes."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without context in written communication. Without a comma or a following verb, "after you please" can be ambiguous, potentially meaning either "I will follow you" or "after you have satisfied yourself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after you please" primarily functions as an adverbial sequence or a polite directive. According to Ludwig AI, it is often split by punctuation to serve as a stand-alone etiquette marker in social interactions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after you please" is a versatile and polite expression found in a variety of high-quality contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used as an etiquette marker to show deference or as a temporal instruction in professional and academic settings. While exact matches of the three-word sequence are relatively rare, the component parts and their use together reflect standard, correct English. Writers should pay close attention to punctuation, as a comma can significantly change the tone and clarity of the expression. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is an excellent choice for maintaining a polite and respectful tone in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please go ahead

A more common and direct invitation for someone to take their turn first.

you first

A brief and slightly more informal version of the same sentiment.

after you

The most standard short-form expression of deference in English.

be my guest

An idiomatic and slightly more casual way to invite someone to proceed first.

please lead the way

Specifically used when inviting someone to physically walk in front.

I will follow you

Shifts focus from the invitation to the speaker's subsequent action.

after you are finished

Specifies a temporal sequence rather than just general politeness.

if you would be so kind

A much more formal and slightly archaic way to preface an invitation.

by all means go ahead

Adds emphasis and enthusiastic permission to the invitation.

you may proceed

Very formal and often used in professional or instructional settings.

FAQs

How to use "after you please" in a sentence?

You can use it as a polite gesture like "No, "after you" please" or as a sequence instruction like "after you finish please let me know."

What can I say instead of "after you please"?

Common alternatives include "please go ahead", "you first" or simply ""after you"".

Is "after you please" formal enough for business?

Yes, it is considered polite and professional. However, in business emails, "at your convenience" or "following your review" might be more precise.

What is the difference between "after you" and "after you please"?

The main difference is the addition of "please", which adds a layer of formal politeness. Using ""after you"" is often sufficient in casual settings.