could you please

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "could you please" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when making a polite request. For example, "Could you please pass the salt?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could you, please?

The New York Times

Could you please delete it?

The New York Times

Could you please help me?

The Guardian - Money

Could you please tell me more?

The New York Times

Could you please expand on that?

The Guardian

Could you please help your readers out.

The New York Times

"Could you please keep your voices down?

The New Yorker

best, zx Christine, could you please answer my previous email?

The New Yorker

Could you please bring it back?" So hard to do.

The New York Times

And could you please suggest the best mode of travel?

The New York Times

Could you please give me his exact mailing address?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could you please" when you want to make a polite request, especially in formal situations or when addressing someone you don't know well.

Common error

Avoid using "could you please" excessively in casual conversations, as it might sound overly formal or even sarcastic. In these situations, a simple "can you" or "please" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you please" functions as a polite interrogative used to soften a request or command. It frames the request as a question, making it less direct and more considerate. Ludwig AI shows it is widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could you please" is a versatile and polite way to make requests in English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While suitable for most situations, it's important to avoid overuse in very informal settings, where simpler alternatives like "please" or "can you" might be more appropriate. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in conveying courtesy and respect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would you kindly

Replaces 'could' with 'would' and 'please' with 'kindly', altering the tone slightly while maintaining politeness.

if you wouldn't mind

Adds a touch of deference, softening the request.

would you mind

Poses the request as a question of willingness.

I would appreciate it if you could

Expresses gratitude in advance for the requested action.

would you be so kind as to

Adds emphasis on politeness and formality.

may I ask you to

Introduces a formal tone, emphasizing the speaker's request.

is it possible for you to

Shifts the focus to possibility and capability.

I request that you

Frames the request as a formal demand.

can you

Simplifies the request, removing some of the politeness.

please

Shortens the request to a single word, relying on context for clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "could you please" to make a polite request. For example, "Could you please pass the salt?" or "Could you please send me the report?"

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

Alternatives to "could you please" include "would you kindly", "would you mind", or simply "please", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "could you please" formal or informal?

"Could you please" is generally considered polite and suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts. However, in very informal situations, it might sound overly formal.

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

"Could you please" is more polite and formal than "can you". "Can you" is a more direct and less deferential way of making a request. Using "could you please" shows more respect and consideration for the person you are asking.