please be civil

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'please be civil' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to be polite and respectful while discussing contentious topics. For example, you could write: "Let's discuss this issue calmly and respectfully. Please be civil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And remember, please be civil to each other.

The New York Times

I welcome comments from Bahrainis, but please be civil to each other.

The New York Times

Amid the din, a woman stood with a sign that said, "Please be civil".

The New York Times - Health

But please be civil.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Please, please, please be ready.

Huffington Post

Please, please be seated.

Huffington Post

Please, please be careful.

Huffington Post

Please, please, be with me".

Vice

Please, please be sincere.

WikiHow

Please, please be my girlfriend.

WikiHow

And finally, please, let's be civil towards each other, okay?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please be civil" when moderating discussions or online forums to encourage respectful dialogue and prevent heated arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "please be civil" in situations where a firm directive is needed. This phrase is a polite request, not a command. If someone is clearly violating rules or engaging in harmful behavior, a more direct approach is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please be civil" functions as an imperative, directly urging or requesting the audience to maintain a respectful and polite demeanor. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a way to promote constructive dialogue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please be civil" is a grammatically sound and polite request for respectful behavior, often used in discussions or forums to prevent conflict and encourage constructive dialogue. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. It's primarily found in news and media and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, consider the context and audience, opting for more formal language in professional environments or more direct directives when necessary. Alternatives such as "be respectful" or "keep it civil" offer similar sentiments with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be respectful

Focuses on showing consideration and esteem, slightly broader than just being civil.

keep it civil

Implies maintaining an already existing level of civility, rather than initiating it.

let's be respectful

Suggests a collaborative effort towards respectful behavior.

be courteous

Emphasizes politeness and good manners, somewhat more formal than being civil.

be polite

Simply requests good manners, less emphasis on avoiding conflict than "civil".

engage respectfully

Focuses on the manner of interaction or discussion.

act with decorum

Signifies proper and dignified behavior, much more formal.

conduct yourself respectfully

A formal way of asking someone to behave in a respectful manner.

be considerate

Highlights thoughtfulness and awareness of others' feelings.

maintain decorum

Similar to 'act with decorum' but emphasizes continuation of respectful behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "please be civil" in a sentence?

You can use "please be civil" to politely request respectful behavior in a discussion or forum, for example, "Before we begin, "please be civil" in your responses."

What is a more formal alternative to "please be civil"?

A more formal alternative is "please conduct yourselves respectfully". This is suitable for professional environments.

When is it appropriate to use "please be civil"?

It's appropriate when you want to encourage polite and respectful communication, especially in situations where disagreements are likely. But, remember to choose a direct approach if the person's behavior is harmful or violating rules.

What's the difference between ""please be civil"" and "be respectful"?

"Please be civil" specifically implies avoiding conflict and maintaining politeness, while "be respectful" is a broader term encompassing consideration and esteem for others.