please accept this gift

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please accept this gift" is a perfectly acceptable and common phrase to use in written English.
For example, you could use it in a thank-you note or card to a friend or family member: "Dear Aunt Sally, Thank you so much for the birthday present. Please accept this gift as a token of my appreciation. All my love, Your niece, Jane".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Please accept this as confirmation and congratulations," the ITVS notification said.

The New Yorker

Addressed to Emirates Airlines and Fly Dubai, the Embassy instructed the companies, "Please accept this memorandum as proof".

The New Yorker

Please accept this copy of the NY Times with the compliments of the Paramount Theatre".

The New Yorker

Please accept this post as an oblation for being quite probably overly optimistic.  .

TechCrunch

Please accept this as an inevitable reality.

Huffington Post

So, please, please accept this paragraph as an apology for what's to follow.

Vice

And, "Please accept this ring as a symbol of my abiding love".

Huffington Post

Dear facilitator and FAO, please accept this submission with respect climate change food security and nutrition.

FAO

Please accept this cover letter and the enclosed resume as my application for your review.

Cover Letter

Please accept this letter as my expressed interest in the nurse practitioner position at your institution.

Cover Letter

Please accept this as application for the Account Manager Position you have posted online.

Cover Letter

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please accept this gift" when you want to politely offer something tangible or intangible. It is suitable for both formal and informal settings, depending on the relationship with the recipient.

Common error

While polite, "please accept this gift" can sound overly formal in very casual settings. Consider using simpler alternatives like "here you go" or "I wanted you to have this" when giving a small token to a close friend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please accept this gift" functions as a polite directive. As noted by Ludwig, it's used to formally offer something. The word "please" softens the command, making it a courteous request for the recipient to take what is being offered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please accept this gift" is a polite phrase used to formally offer something, whether tangible or intangible. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as a courteous request to receive what is being offered. While grammatically correct, the usage of this phrase leans toward neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig's examples highlight its presence in professional and semi-formal communications such as cover letters and thank you notes. When used in more casual situations, simpler alternatives may be more suitable to avoid sounding overly formal. The phrase strikes a balance between politeness and generosity, making it an effective expression for conveying goodwill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Here's a gift for you; please accept it

Splits the offer into two parts: presenting the gift and then asking for acceptance.

I offer you this gift

A straightforward and polite way to present a gift.

Kindly receive this present

Replaces "please accept" with a more formal "kindly receive" and "gift" with "present".

This gift is for you; please receive it

Emphasizes the recipient and follows by a polite request for them to take it.

I hope you'll take this gift

Shifts the focus to the giver's hope that the recipient will take the gift.

We'd like you to have this gift

Expresses a desire for the recipient to possess the gift, emphasizing the giver's intention.

I'd like you to have this present

Similar in meaning, but uses 'present' instead of 'gift' and 'I'd like' making it slightly more casual.

I present you with this gift

Uses a more ceremonial or formal tone.

I'm giving you this gift, I hope you like it

Adds an expression of hope that the recipient will enjoy the gift.

It's my pleasure to offer this gift

Highlights the giver's pleasure in offering the gift.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "please accept this gift"?

It's appropriate to use "please accept this gift" in scenarios where you want to formally or politely offer something. This could be a birthday present, a token of appreciation, or even an apology where the "gift" is an act of service or a changed behavior.

Are there more casual alternatives to "please accept this gift"?

Yes, in more casual scenarios, you can use alternatives such as "here you go", "I wanted you to have this", or simply handing over the gift with a smile. The level of formality should match your relationship with the recipient.

How can I make "please accept this gift" sound more sincere?

Adding a personal touch, such as explaining why you chose the gift or how you hope it will be used, can make the phrase sound more sincere. For example, "I know you love gardening, so please accept this gift of rare flower seeds."

Is it ever inappropriate to use "please accept this gift"?

While generally polite, using "please accept this gift" might be inappropriate if the offering could be perceived as a bribe or an attempt to manipulate the recipient. Ensure the context is clear and the gift is given with genuine goodwill.