please accept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please accept" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a polite request for someone to receive or acknowledge something, such as an apology, an offer, or a proposal. Example: "Please accept my sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Please accept our gratitude.

The New York Times

Please accept it.

The Guardian - Sport

Please accept my apology.

The New York Times

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

The New York Times

Please accept our sincere (and timely) apologies.

Independent

"Please accept the apologies of this court.

The New Yorker

Please accept the enclosed check for $384.

The New York Times

Once again please accept my sincerest apologies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Please accept my proposish," the leprechaun pleads.

The New York Times

"Please accept my 79th annual contribution," one donor wrote.

The New York Times

Elfriede, if you are reading this, please accept my thanks!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal correspondence, "please accept" conveys respect and politeness. Use it when addressing superiors, clients, or individuals you don't know well.

Common error

A common error is confusing "accept" with "except". "Accept" means to receive willingly, while "except" means to exclude. For example, "Please accept this gift" is correct. "Please except this gift" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please accept" functions as a polite directive, used to request that someone willingly receive something, whether it be a tangible item, an apology, or a proposal. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please accept" is a polite and widely used phrase for requesting someone to receive or acknowledge something. As Ludwig AI validates, it’s grammatically correct and versatile. The phrase is commonly found in news, business, and general writing, conveying respect and formality. When using "please accept", be mindful of the context and audience to ensure appropriateness. Alternatives like "kindly receive" or "we hope you will take" can provide variety. Avoid confusing "accept" with "except" to maintain clarity and correctness. Overall, "please accept" is a reliable and effective way to express politeness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly receive

Uses a different verb to convey the act of receiving.

we would appreciate it if you accepted

More verbose and formal, emphasizing appreciation.

we hope you will take

Expresses a desire for the acceptance.

it would be our pleasure if you took

Emphasizes the giver's positive feeling about the acceptance.

we'd be honored if you took

Highlights the honor associated with the acceptance.

please take into consideration

Suggests a thoughtful acceptance or evaluation.

we trust you will receive

Indicates confidence in the acceptance.

allow us to offer

Focuses on the act of offering something for acceptance.

we propose that you consider

Presents something for careful acceptance.

permit us to give

A formal way of offering something.

FAQs

How do I use "please accept" in a sentence?

Use "please accept" to politely offer something or express a request for acknowledgement, like "Please accept my apologies" or "Please accept this gift".

What are alternatives to saying "please accept"?

You can use alternatives like "kindly receive", "we hope you will take", or "it would be our pleasure if you took" depending on the context.

Is it more polite to say "please accept" or "kindly accept"?

Both "please accept" and "kindly accept" are polite. "Please accept" is more common, while "kindly accept" can add a touch of formality.

When is it inappropriate to use "please accept"?

While generally polite, "please accept" might be too formal in very casual conversations. In such cases, a simple "Here you go" or "I hope you like it" may be more suitable.