please be quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

"please be quiet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to politely request someone to be quiet or stop making noise. It can be used in various situations, such as in a classroom, during a meeting, or in a library. Example: "Please be quiet during the presentation so everyone can hear the speaker clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"So please be quiet.

The New Yorker

"Can you please be quiet.

The Guardian

Mr. Perry has said repeatedly he's not running for president, isn't interested, please be quiet.

The New York Times

The highly successful short-story collection Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?

Encyclopedia Britannica

The executive asks people to please be quiet so he can "share" his "information".

The Guardian - Opinion

Also, "Flavor Concentration in progress, please be quiet and silence your phones".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

He remembers his teacher's survival instructions: Please be quiet and please be still.

Huffington Post

Ask them to please be as quiet as they can during the time you are sleeping.

WikiHow

When you see as much Russell Brand as I have lately, it's easy to look at his Channel 4 interview and think: 'Please be quiet, Russell Brand, please; I cannot hear another three-syllable word come out of your mouth when a one-syllable word will do.

Vice

Furious with Frank, she has sex with a neighbor in the front seat of a car; the scene is short and brutal — the man appears to be suffocating her — and ends with her cutting off his breathless declarations of love: "Please just be quiet for a minute, then you can take me home".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Please, everybody be quiet," she commanded, according to Isaak.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please be quiet" in written communication, consider the context and audience. For more formal settings, it may be better to use a more polite alternative like "kindly be silent".

Common error

Avoid using "please be quiet" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language to maintain a polite and engaging tone. Instead of repeating, consider alternatives such as "could you keep it down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please be quiet" functions primarily as an imperative, aiming to elicit a specific action: the cessation of noise. This aligns with Ludwig's AI assessment, confirming its direct request nature. The phrase directly instructs or requests someone to stop making noise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please be quiet" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to politely request silence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse written contexts. While versatile, its appropriateness varies depending on the formality of the situation. To avoid sounding repetitive or too direct, consider using alternatives like "kindly be silent" or "would you mind being quiet". Remember to be mindful of cultural norms and to vary your language to maintain a polite and engaging tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly be silent

More formal and polite alternative.

hush, please

Suggests a gentle and immediate cessation of noise.

silence, please

A more concise and direct request for silence.

quiet, everyone

Addressing a group directly.

quiet down, please

Implies a gradual reduction in noise level.

would you mind being quiet

A polite but potentially passive-aggressive request.

can you keep it down

A more casual and less direct way to ask for quiet.

please hold your tongue

Suggests refraining from speaking at all.

be silent

A direct and somewhat forceful command.

cease the noise

A formal and somewhat dramatic way to request silence.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to be quiet?

Besides "please be quiet", you can use phrases like "kindly be silent", or "would you mind being quiet", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "please be quiet" appropriate in all situations?

While generally acceptable, "please be quiet" might be too direct in some formal settings. Consider using a more indirect approach such as "could you lower your voice" in professional or academic environments.

What's the difference between "please be quiet" and "be quiet"?

Adding "please" softens the command, making it a polite request rather than a direct order. "Be quiet" can sound rude or abrupt, while "please be quiet" is generally more considerate.

Are there any cultural differences in how people react to "please be quiet"?

Yes, in some cultures, direct requests for silence may be considered impolite. It's important to be mindful of cultural norms and adjust your language accordingly, perhaps opting for a gentler phrasing like "excuse me", but could you please keep the volume down.