bother to please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bother to please" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing the effort someone puts into trying to satisfy or accommodate others, often implying that the effort is unnecessary or not appreciated. Example: "I don't think he will bother to please everyone at the party; he just wants to enjoy himself."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Why bother to please everyone?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Tell the person bothering you to please stop.

WikiHow

Please don't bother to correct my English.

The New York Times

And I know that you know what I'm talking about, so please don't bother to pretend otherwise".

The New Yorker

After a few sorties, Tod stopped the orchestra and said: "Mr Brooke, please don't bother to intimidate me.

The Guardian - Music

Which is a relief in a way, because if you can never please everyone, why bother to try? Life is just unfair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After a few sorties, Tod stopped the orchestra and said "Mr Brooke, please don't bother to intimidate me: I'm scared stiff already".

The Guardian - Music

It's also a reminder of the helpfulness of folk – I'm always amazed and pleased that people bother to answer questions on forums, on anything from "How do I resize a photo?" to "Is it OK to boil headphones?" (a real question asked on Yahoo answers, and the responses were more thoughtful than you might imagine).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Please note that Murphy doesn't even bother to answer the question.

Huffington Post

And I was so pleased by his answer that I didn't bother to understand the reasons.

The New Yorker

Why bother to plan?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bother to please", consider whether a more direct and common phrase such as "make an effort to satisfy" would improve clarity and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "bother to please" excessively, especially in formal writing, as it can sound awkward or unnatural. Opt for clearer and more common alternatives to convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bother to please" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose, often used to question the necessity or value of trying to satisfy others. Ludwig AI shows its use in contexts where prioritizing self-interest is considered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bother to please" questions the value of trying to satisfy others and is more acceptable than formally correct. Ludwig's examples show it's infrequent but appears in News & Media. For clarity and formality, consider alternatives like "make an effort to satisfy". Be mindful of its infrequent and potentially awkward sound in formal contexts, and balance its use with clearer alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim to satisfy

Directly indicates the intention to meet someone's needs or desires.

make an effort to satisfy

Emphasizes the active attempt to meet someone's expectations.

take the trouble to satisfy

Highlights the inconvenience or effort involved in pleasing someone.

go out of one's way to please

Suggests exceeding normal effort to ensure someone's happiness.

bend over backwards to accommodate

Implies extreme efforts, possibly to an excessive degree, to satisfy someone.

attempt to gratify

Focuses on the aim to bring satisfaction, often in a more formal or literary context.

seek to indulge

Suggests fulfilling desires, often with a connotation of luxury or excess.

try to appease

Implies an effort to pacify or calm someone, often by giving in to their demands.

strive to gratify

Emphasizes the effort and ambition in seeking to bring satisfaction.

undertake to satisfy

Suggests a formal commitment or obligation to meet someone's needs.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "bother to please" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "make an effort to satisfy" or "take the trouble to satisfy" depending on the context.

What does it mean when someone says "Why bother to please everyone?"

This question suggests questioning the value of trying to satisfy everyone, implying it may be futile or unnecessary. It often reflects a decision to prioritize one's own needs or preferences.

Is "bother to please" considered formal or informal language?

While grammatically correct, "bother to please" leans towards informal usage. For formal contexts, "make an effort to satisfy" is generally a more appropriate and widely accepted choice.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bother to please"?

Use "bother to please" when you want to express doubt or question the need to expend effort in satisfying someone. It's suitable when implying that the effort might not be worth the outcome or is unnecessary.