be pleasant with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be pleasant with' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used as an imperative to ask someone to be nice or friendly toward others. For example, "Please be pleasant with the new office assistant; they are still learning the ropes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

She also wanted the environment to be pleasant with tidy, bright rooms.

The Economist

The early morning will be pleasant with some sunny spells, before clouds quickly increase and heavy rain spreads and lingers for most of the day.

Independent

Be pleasant with a genuine smile.

WikiHow

If there is an issue or a problem with your food or service, be pleasant with the staff.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In the first 2 cases, we mixed the far ends of the pleasantness axis within themselves, that is, pleasant with pleasant and unpleasant with unpleasant.

Chemical Senses

Fellows and I agreed that it was pleasant with the lights off.

The New Yorker

Still, though the décor is simple, it's pleasant, with wainscoted walls dotted with vintage photographs of Williston Park.

The New York Times

For entrees, the cioppino was pleasant, with mussels, shrimp, scallops and calamari nicely cooked in an unremarkable tomato base.

The New York Times

The décor is pleasant, with granite walls and plants, service is friendly and the cuisine of high quality.

The New York Times - Travel

In any case, the performance was pleasant, with Katarina Karneus, John Mark Ainsley and David Pittsinger filling the small vocal parts colorfully.

The New York Times - Arts

Collins, the new Mets manager, was pleasant with the news media, boundless in his energy, a baseball lifer with an abiding respect for the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "be pleasant with" others, use it in contexts where fostering positive relationships is important, such as customer service or team collaboration.

Common error

Avoid using "be pleasant with" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated or nuanced language that better suits the register, such as "demonstrate professionalism" or "foster positive relationships".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "be pleasant with" is as an imperative verb phrase. It's used to instruct or advise someone to adopt a friendly and agreeable demeanor in their interactions with others. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be pleasant with" is a grammatically correct imperative phrase used to encourage positive and agreeable interactions. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its frequency is rare, and it tends to appear in neutral to informal contexts like news articles and how-to guides. More formal situations may call for alternatives like "demonstrate professionalism" or "foster positive relationships". Use it when fostering positive relationships is important, but avoid overusing it in highly formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be nice to

Switches from "pleasant" to "nice", a more general term for being agreeable.

be kind to

Replaces "pleasant" with "kind", emphasizing a more empathetic approach.

be agreeable to

Uses a more formal synonym for "pleasant", shifting the tone slightly.

be affable with

Employs a less common and more sophisticated word, "affable", for a similar meaning.

treat well

Focuses on the action of treating someone in a positive manner, rather than describing an attitude.

be considerate of

Highlights thoughtfulness and awareness of others' feelings.

show courtesy to

Emphasizes politeness and respect in one's interactions.

be amiable with

Similar to 'affable' but a slightly more common term.

act friendly toward

Shifts the focus to outward actions and behavior.

have a good rapport with

Focuses on establishing a positive connection.

FAQs

How can I use "be pleasant with" in a sentence?

You can use "be pleasant with" to encourage someone to have a positive attitude or interaction, for example, "It's important to be pleasant with clients, even when they are demanding".

What is a more formal alternative to "be pleasant with"?

Alternatives include phrases like "demonstrate professionalism", "foster positive relationships", or "cultivate rapport", depending on the context.

Is "be pleasant with" appropriate for all types of writing?

While "be pleasant with" is grammatically correct, it may not be suitable for all writing styles. It's better suited for informal or instructional contexts than for formal academic papers.

What's the difference between "be nice to" and "be pleasant with"?

While similar, "be nice to" is a more general recommendation for kind behavior. "Be pleasant with" suggests creating a more positive and agreeable interaction. You can also use alternatives like "be kind to" depending on the context.