please be on time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please be on time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting someone to arrive at a specific time for an event or meeting. Example: "The meeting starts at 10 AM, so please be on time to ensure we cover all the agenda items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A second example: I announced an exam and after spending five minutes explaining what material the students were and were not responsible for, my last sentence ended with "and please be on time; you will need the full period for the exam".

The New York Times

And then he would plead with me, 'Mom please be on time, I can't be alone with him for a long time.' I was supposed to start work at 11am; although they didn't pay me for these hours, I would arrive early to be with my daughter.

Huffington Post

Please be on time, especially if you were chosen to pitch.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This may take some time, so please be patient.

WikiHow

Please, please, please be ready.

Huffington Post

Please, please be seated.

Huffington Post

Please, please be careful.

Huffington Post

I'm fairly confident I could run a small country from my phone but please don't ask me to be on time for dinner.

Huffington Post

(Try to be on time for court appearances, Puffy, and lose the shades, please).

The New York Times - Style

Please excuse [passenger name] from being on time for the foreseeable future.

The New Yorker

"Please be wasted by the time I return".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "please be on time", consider adding a reason why punctuality is important. For example, "Please be on time for the meeting so we can cover all agenda items efficiently."

Common error

While "please be on time" is polite, avoid using it excessively in a short period. Vary your language with alternatives like "ensure you are on time" or "arrive punctually" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please be on time" functions primarily as an imperative, specifically a polite request or directive. It's used to instruct or encourage someone to arrive at a scheduled time. Ludwig's examples show it is commonly employed in situations where punctuality is valued or required.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please be on time" is a polite imperative used to request punctuality. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig AI identifies its usage as relatively rare, primarily occurring in news media, wiki entries, and formal business communications. To enhance your writing, vary the phrasing using alternatives like "kindly be punctual" or emphasizing the reason for punctuality to make the request more contextually relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kindly be punctual

Replaces "please be" with the more formal "kindly be" and uses "punctual" instead of "on time".

Make sure to be on time

Shifts the emphasis to ensuring punctuality.

Ensure you are on time

More direct and emphasizes the responsibility of being punctual.

Be sure to arrive on time

Focuses on the act of arriving punctually.

Don't be late

A more informal and direct way of asking someone to be on time.

Arrive punctually

A more concise and formal way of requesting punctuality.

Be prompt

A brief and direct request for promptness.

Respect the schedule

Emphasizes respecting the set schedule and implicitly requests punctuality.

Adhere to the time

Focuses on sticking to the specified time.

Keep to the schedule

Similar to 'adhere to the time', emphasizing adherence to the schedule.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to be on time?

The phrase "please be on time" is a polite and direct way to request punctuality. You can also use phrases like "kindly be punctual" for a more formal tone, or "make sure to be on time" to emphasize the importance of punctuality.

What's a more formal way to say "please be on time"?

For a more formal request, consider using phrases such as "kindly be punctual" or "your punctuality is appreciated". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is it rude to say "please be on time"?

No, it is generally not considered rude to say "please be on time". It is a straightforward and polite way to express the importance of punctuality. However, the tone and context can influence perception; a friendly tone usually makes the request more acceptable.

What can I say instead of "please be on time" in a casual setting?

In a casual setting, you can use phrases like "don't be late" or "try to be there on time". These options are more relaxed and suitable for informal communication.