could you please bring

USAGE SUMMARY

"Could you please bring" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when politely requesting someone to bring or fetch something. Example: "Could you please bring the file to the meeting? I left it on your desk and I need it for the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"He said, 'Lisa, could you please bring in some fabric paint?' " After mastering T-shirts, Mr. Engel started making large paintings.

The New York Times

Finnegan called the waiter over and said in Japanese, "could you please bring me some of what the man at the next table is eating". The waiter looked a bit puzzled, shrugged, went over, spoke to the man, and brought Finnegan what he was eating.

Yale University

could you please bring a box for them as my one got distroyed.

Vice

Could you please bring home some pads or tampons?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Could you please get the recipe?

Los Angeles Times

Ah, forget it… Michigan, could you please get good again?

Los Angeles Times

"Listen, could you please, please get on a bus and bring me the rest of my stuff?

The New Yorker

And could he please bring the luggage downstairs from the bedroom?

The New York Times

Pete Halloran, his project manager, wanted him to come around to his office as soon he got the chance, and could he please bring the Hair Peace file.

The New York Times

But there is a constructive answer: "Could you please make a cake and bring it to the funeral tea".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about what you need brought and where it can be found to avoid confusion. For example, "Could you please bring the red folder from my desk drawer?"

Common error

While politeness is generally appreciated, excessively using phrases like "could you please bring" in very informal settings can sound overly formal or even sarcastic. Consider a more direct approach like "can you grab" or "bring me" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could you please bring" functions as a polite interrogative request. It combines the modal verb 'could' to soften the request, 'please' to express politeness, and 'bring' to indicate the desired action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in making requests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could you please bring" is a grammatically correct and polite way to request someone to bring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression suitable for various contexts, although it might sound overly formal in very casual settings. While alternatives like "can you bring" or "please bring" exist for more direct requests, "could you please bring" strikes a balance between politeness and clarity. It is important to consider the context and your relationship with the person you're asking to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. Overall, this phrase serves as a versatile tool for making courteous requests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would you kindly bring

Replaces "could" with "would" and "please" with "kindly", maintaining a polite tone but sounding slightly more formal.

can you please fetch

Substitutes "could" with "can" and "bring" with "fetch", making the request slightly less formal.

would you be so kind as to bring

An expanded and more formal version of the request, emphasizing politeness.

please bring

A direct but still polite request, omitting "could you" for brevity.

can you bring

A straightforward request, less polite than the original phrase.

might you bring

Uses "might" instead of "could," conveying a slightly more hesitant or deferential tone.

is it possible for you to bring

A more roundabout and formal way of asking, emphasizing the possibility of fulfilling the request.

would you mind bringing

Asks if the action would be an imposition, a polite and indirect form of request.

could you fetch

Replaces "bring" with "fetch," offering a synonym with a similar level of formality.

be so kind as to bring

This is a shorter and more direct way to ask something more formally

FAQs

What's a more direct way to say "could you please bring"?

For less formal situations, you can use phrases like "can you bring", or simply "please bring" to make a more direct request while maintaining politeness.

How does "could you please bring" differ from "would you please bring"?

"Could you please bring" and "would you please bring" are both polite requests, but "would" is generally considered slightly more formal than "could". The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person you're addressing.

What are some alternatives to "could you please bring" for formal requests?

In very formal settings, consider using phrases like "would you be so kind as to bring" or "I would be grateful if you could bring" to convey a higher degree of politeness and respect.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "could you please bring"?

While generally versatile, "could you please bring" might be excessive in very casual contexts or when making demands. It's essential to assess the situation and adapt your language accordingly.