but please

USAGE SUMMARY

"but please" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to add urgency to a request, as in: "Please finish your homework, but please do it by tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But tomorrow?

The New York Times

But last month was last month".

The New York Times - Sports

But last week, N.Y.U.

The New York Times

But next year, perhaps not.

Independent

But this year, nada!

The New York Times

But 2014 sounds good".

The New York Times - Sports

But today, "E.U.

The New York Times

But today, the I.P.O.

The New York Times

But tomorrow never comes.

The New York Times

But this year is unusual.

The New York Times

But today's I.P.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but please" to soften a request that might seem demanding or to add a touch of urgency to a polite suggestion. For example, "I understand you're busy, but please prioritize this task."

Common error

Avoid using "but please" excessively in highly formal writing, as it can sound slightly informal or even passive-aggressive. In those situations, opt for more direct and professional language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but please" functions as a conjunction phrase used to connect two parts of a sentence, often to introduce a request or suggestion that follows a contrasting statement. According to Ludwig AI, it adds urgency to a request. As there are no examples in Ludwig, more context is necessary.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but please" serves as a conjunction phrase to politely emphasize a request or suggestion, often following a contrasting statement. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and can add urgency to a request, the lack of examples suggests it may not be widely used or may be context-dependent. Its register is generally neutral, suitable for everyday conversations but potentially less appropriate for highly formal settings. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives such as "however, please" or other similar phrases may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However, please

Adding emphasis and request.

Just please

This emphasizes urgency.

But I request

This is a direct request.

However, I kindly ask

This alternative uses "however" to introduce a contrast and adds the polite phrase "I kindly ask" to soften the request.

Nevertheless, consider

This is a formal suggestion.

Yet, if you would

This option uses "yet" for contrast and the conditional "if you would" to make a polite suggestion.

All the same, do remember to

This option emphasizes importance and urging.

Nonetheless, make sure to

It uses "nonetheless" to present a contrast and "make sure to" to emphasize the importance of the request.

Still, I urge you to

This phrase uses "still" to indicate a contrast and "I urge you to" to convey a sense of urgency or importance.

Even so, it's important to

Using "even so" to acknowledge a previous point, it stresses the significance of following action through "it's important to".

FAQs

How can I use "but please" effectively in a sentence?

"But please" can be used to add a polite emphasis or a touch of urgency to a request or suggestion. For example: "I know you're tired, but please finish this report tonight."

What are some alternatives to "but please" that I can use?

Alternatives include "however, please", "just please", or "but I request", depending on the context and the level of formality desired.

Is "but please" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but please" may sound slightly informal or too direct for some formal contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives in those situations.

When is it appropriate to use "but please" in communication?

"But please" is appropriate when you need to make a request or suggestion while maintaining politeness but also conveying a sense of importance or urgency.