as you please

USAGE SUMMARY

'as you please' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are giving someone a choice or expressing that something can be done in whatever way is most preferable or convenient for the other person. For example: "Choose whichever dessert you like, as you please."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the materials may be as humble as you please.

The New York Times

"As you please, sir," the cabby mildly replied.

The New York Times

So you can do as you please, within reason.

The New York Times

Believe it or not, friends, as you please,.

The New Yorker

Feel free to play with it as you please.

The New York Times - Food

Try this silently, then add speech as you please.

The Guardian

You can come and go as you please".

The New York Times

But to printers, the shiners, as oft as you please!

The New York Times

"Some of the pilots called Kunsan 'the land of do as you please,' " Sergeant Smith said.

The New York Times

Pretty as you please!

Forbes

The rest you can invest as you please.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as you please", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are giving permission or expressing indifference to the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "as you please" when you actually care about the outcome. It can come across as passive-aggressive if you're secretly hoping for a specific result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as you please" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating the manner in which an action can be performed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used. The Ludwig examples show it offering freedom or permission in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

32%

Huffington Post

13%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

Los Angeles Times

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as you please" is a versatile phrase used to grant permission, express indifference, or convey autonomy in decision-making. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. While primarily neutral to informal in register, it's acceptable across a range of contexts. The examples showcase its prevalence in both news and media, and how-to guides. Alternatives such as "do as you wish" or "the choice is yours" can provide a more formal tone when needed. Overall, "as you please" is a reliable phrase for indicating freedom of choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as you like

A slightly more direct alternative, keeping the original structure.

do as you wish

Replaces "please" with "wish", maintaining the sense of granting freedom.

the choice is yours

Clearly indicates that the decision lies with the other party.

whatever you prefer

Highlights that the choice should be based on personal preference.

you're free to decide

Explicitly states the freedom to make a decision.

feel free to choose

More explicitly emphasizes the freedom to select an option.

do whatever you want

Emphasizes the lack of restrictions on action.

it's up to you

Shifts the responsibility and decision-making to the other person.

make your own decision

Focuses on the act of deciding according to one's own judgment.

suit yourself

A more informal and sometimes dismissive way of saying "as you please".

FAQs

How can I use "as you please" in a sentence?

You can use "as you please" to indicate that someone has the freedom to do something according to their own preferences. For example, "You can decorate the room "as you please"."

What's a more formal way to say "as you please"?

While "as you please" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include "do as you wish" or "the choice is yours depending on the context."

Is "as you please" always appropriate?

While generally acceptable, "as you please" can sometimes sound dismissive. Consider your audience and the context. If you want to sound more supportive, use alternatives like "feel free to choose."

What is the difference between "as you please" and "suit yourself"?

"As you please" generally conveys permission or indifference, while "suit yourself" can sometimes carry a tone of resignation or disapproval. Choose your words carefully based on the intended message.