could we please

USAGE SUMMARY

"could we please" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to politely ask someone to do something. For example: "Could we please finish this project by next week?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

If not, could we please move along?

The New Yorker

Could we please send a check?

The New Yorker

Could we please have a little quiet?

The New York Times

Could we please never discuss this again?

The New York Times - Magazine

But could we please have some real socialist policies.

The Guardian

"Could we please have Ed Joyce back?" asks Brian O'Connor.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Could we all please just take a moment here and give this hectoring blowhard the Bronx cheer?

The New Yorker

I know it's a lot to ask at a time when the Dow swings a couple hundred points every hour, but could we all please just step back, take a deep breath, and look at the long-term outlook?

Huffington Post

"We could, if we pleased, name the hospital involved," said the original piece, rather airily.

BBC

We thought we could go where we pleased in terms of our careers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After the Cold War, the American self-image became that of the "sole superpower". We were the only 800-pound gorilla in the world, and therefore we could do what we pleased without having to worry about any other country's ability to stop us.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could we please" when making a polite request, especially when you want to emphasize courtesy. For example, "Could we please submit our reports by Friday?"

Common error

Avoid using "could we please" excessively in casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or even sarcastic. In informal scenarios, simply using "please" or "can we" is often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could we please" functions as a polite interrogative used to make a request or suggestion. It combines the modal verb 'could' to soften the request with 'please' to emphasize politeness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could we please" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to make polite requests or suggestions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's common in news, formal business, and science, signaling respect and courtesy. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse in informal settings to prevent sounding overly formal or sarcastic. Alternatives like "would you please" or simply "please" can be used to adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would you please

More formal and polite, using "would" instead of "could" emphasizes the request.

can we please

Less formal and more direct, suitable for casual settings.

may we please

Highly formal and polite, suitable for very respectful requests.

if you please

An older, slightly more indirect way of making a request.

kindly

Direct but polite, often used in written requests.

please

The simplest form, relies on context for politeness.

I would appreciate it if we could

A more elaborate way of expressing the request, emphasizing gratitude.

we would be grateful if you could

Expresses strong gratitude for the requested action.

is it possible for us to

Asks about the possibility of doing something, implying a request.

we request that you

A more formal and direct request, often used in official communication.

FAQs

How do I use "could we please" in a sentence?

Use "could we please" when making a polite request or suggestion. For example, "Could we please review the documents before the meeting?" or "Could we please leave early today?"

What are some alternatives to "could we please"?

You can use alternatives like "would you please", "can we please", or simply "please" depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more polite to say "could we please" or "may we please"?

"May we please" is generally considered more formal and polite than "could we please". The choice depends on the context and the relationship with the person you are addressing.

When should I avoid using "could we please"?

Avoid using "could we please" in informal settings where it may sound overly formal or sarcastic. In such situations, a simpler request using "please" or "can we" is often more suitable.