can you please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'can you please' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to do something politely. Example: Can you please help me with my assignment?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you please call.

The Guardian

Can you please repeat?

The New York Times

Can you please enlighten me?

The Guardian - Money

"Can you please be quiet.

The Guardian

Can you please help us?

The Guardian - Money

Can you please help me?

The New York Times

Can you please send police out here?

The New York Times

Can you please define the word "slag"?

The Guardian - Film

"Can you please avoid the # during Ramadan?

The Guardian

Me: Can you please not say "daddy"?

The New Yorker

Dr. Krantz, can you please address food addiction?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can you please", ensure your tone remains respectful and considerate of the other person's time and effort. It's suitable for both professional and casual communication, but consider more formal alternatives in highly sensitive situations.

Common error

While "can you please" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal writing such as legal documents or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing like "would you kindly" or "it would be appreciated if you could" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you please" primarily functions as a polite interrogative request. It is used to ask someone to do something in a courteous manner. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in asking for assistance or action, as evidenced in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can you please" is a very common and grammatically correct way to make a polite request in English. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, although it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in certain professional or academic settings. Ludwig AI's analysis supports its general acceptance and usefulness. When employing this phrase, ensure that your tone remains respectful and considerate. While it's a widely used expression, remember to tailor your language to the specific situation to maintain the appropriate level of formality and professionalism. Be mindful of overusing the phrase in formal contexts, and consider alternatives like "could you please" or "would you mind" as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would appreciate it if you could

Expresses gratitude in advance for the requested action.

could you kindly

Emphasizes politeness and formality compared to the original phrase.

would you mind

A gentler approach to asking for something, implying consideration for the other person's convenience.

would you be so kind as to

A more formal and elaborate way of making a request.

may I ask you to

A polite way to introduce a request, often used in formal settings.

is it alright if you

Checks for permission before proceeding with the request.

is it possible for you to

Focuses on the feasibility of the request for the other person.

I request that you

A formal way to issue a command or instruction.

please

A very direct and simple way to make a polite request.

can you

Removes the politeness aspect, making it a direct question or request.

FAQs

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

Use "can you please" to politely request someone to do something. For example, "Can you please close the door?" or "Can you please send me the report?"

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

You can use alternatives like "could you please", "would you mind", or "would you be so kind as to" depending on the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "can you please" or "please can you"?

"Can you please" is generally more common and grammatically preferred in most English-speaking regions. "Please can you" is sometimes used, but it is less standard.

What's the difference between "can you please" and "can you"?

Adding "please" to "can you" significantly increases the politeness of the request. While "can you" is a direct question, "can you please" is a polite request that acknowledges the other person's willingness to help.