it has to please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has to please" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a requirement or expectation that something must be satisfactory or enjoyable. Example: "When designing the new product, it has to please our target audience to ensure its success in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It has to please me.

Independent

And it has to please a lot of people — the client, the production designer, the art team and most of all the director.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He pleases who he has to please.

The Guardian - Opinion

It did not have to please a constituency of supporters, nor did it have to look for votes in a future election.

The Economist

I like making people feel good, but it was great not to have to please anybody.

Huffington Post

"You have to please TV, you have to please fans.

The New York Times - Sports

JC: It has potential to please Apple.

TechCrunch

He has to be pleased.

Forbes

But in an essay about the trip, "Conversations in Moscow", Paley wondered what the First Amendment ever did for America: "It has been pleasing to stand on the corner of Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue and hand out informational pamphlets, leaflets of protest, to assemble in rage a couple of times a year with tens of thousands of others.

The Guardian - Books

"I render grace to God that it has pleased him to make me alone the first observer of an admirable thing kept hidden all these ages," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Put it on GOOP, if you have to, but please, do not put it in a cookbook.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has to please" when you want to emphasize the importance of something being satisfactory or enjoyable to a specific person or group. For example, when designing a product, "it has to please" the target customer.

Common error

Avoid using "it has to please" when a stronger, more direct verb would be more appropriate. Sometimes, 'satisfy', 'fulfill', or 'gratify' might more precisely convey your intended meaning, especially in formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has to please" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a necessity or requirement for something to be satisfactory or enjoyable to a specific person or group. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has to please" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express the necessity for something to be satisfactory or enjoyable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While similar phrases exist, such as "it must satisfy", the specific nuance of "it has to please" emphasizes enjoyment or delight. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure it appropriately conveys the intended expectation of satisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it must satisfy

Emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling a requirement or expectation to a satisfactory degree.

it needs to gratify

Highlights the need to provide satisfaction or enjoyment.

it is essential to satisfy

Emphasizes the critical nature of meeting a need or desire.

it must be satisfactory

Focuses on meeting a minimum standard of acceptability.

it should appease

Focuses on the act of pacifying or satisfying someone, often to avoid conflict.

it is important to gratify

Focuses on the significance of providing enjoyment or satisfaction.

it is required to delight

Stresses a formal or strong expectation to bring pleasure or joy.

it is obliged to satisfy

Highlights a sense of duty or obligation to meet expectations.

it is vital to appease

Stresses the critical importance of satisfying someone or something, often in a sensitive situation.

it has a duty to delight

Highlights the obligation to bring happiness or pleasure as part of a role or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "it has to please" in a sentence?

Use "it has to please" when indicating that something is required to be satisfactory or enjoyable to someone. For example, "The design of the app "it has to please" the users to be successful".

What can I say instead of "it has to please"?

You can use alternatives like "it must satisfy", "it needs to gratify", or "it should appease" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "it has to please"?

"It has to please" is appropriate when you want to convey that something is required to meet someone's expectations or preferences. This is common in discussions about design, performance, or content creation where user satisfaction is key.

What is the difference between "it has to please" and "it must satisfy"?

While similar, "it has to please" emphasizes enjoyment or delight, whereas "it must satisfy" focuses on meeting a specific need or requirement. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight pleasure or simply fulfillment.