please

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'please' is a common and accepted word in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone for a favor or action. For example: "Please bring me a cup of tea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Please, no.

The New York Times

"Please forgive me".

The New York Times

Please stop.

The New York Times

Suggestions please?

The Guardian - Opinion

Please ensure GNM has acknowledged your notice of cancellation.

The Guardian

Please note that no correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful candidates.

The Guardian

Email:[email protected] (please don't send attachments).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you would like to write a blogpost for Views from the NHS frontline, then please read our guidelines and get in touch by emailing [email protected].

The Guardian

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All correspondence should reach us by Tuesday morning: email [email protected] (please don't send attachments) or write to Private Lives, The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

To increase the likelihood of your nomination being considered, please: Tell us why it's a worthy contender.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal correspondence, consider using alternatives like "kindly" or "I would appreciate it if you could" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "please" adds politeness, avoid overuse in a single interaction. Too many "pleases" can dilute the sincerity of your request and may come across as insincere or even sarcastic.

Linguistic Context

The word "please" primarily functions as an adverb to express politeness when making a request or asking for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds a courteous tone to imperative sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please" functions as an adverb of politeness, primarily used to soften requests and commands. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and very common. Its usage spans various contexts, from news media to formal business communications, though it appears most frequently in news and media. To enhance your writing, remember to strategically place "please" for maximum impact and avoid overuse. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, while its presence typically signals politeness, context is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you

A direct and polite way of asking someone to do something.

kindly

A formal adverb that emphasizes politeness in a request.

if you would

Offers a more formal and indirect way of making a request.

I ask that you

A formal way to make a request or give an instruction.

I would appreciate it if you could

A more elaborate expression of requesting assistance.

I'd be grateful if you would

Expresses gratitude in advance for the recipient's assistance.

would you be so kind as to

A very polite and formal way to ask someone to do something.

if you don't mind

A polite phrase used when asking someone to do something, showing consideration.

if it isn't too much trouble

A polite way of making a request, acknowledging potential inconvenience.

do me a favor and

A less formal way to ask for something, framing it as a favor.

FAQs

How do I use "please" in a sentence?

"Please" can be placed at the beginning or end of a request. For example, "Please close the door" or "Close the door, please" are both correct.

What are some formal alternatives to "please"?

Formal alternatives include "kindly", "I would appreciate it if you could", or "if you would".

Is it impolite to not use "please"?

In many contexts, not using "please" can be seen as impolite or demanding. However, in certain informal settings, it may be acceptable to omit it.

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

"Please" is used to make a request, while "thank you" is used to express gratitude after a favor has been done.