please be seated

USAGE SUMMARY

"please be seated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used as a polite request for someone to take a seat or sit down. This phrase is appropriate to use in various situations, such as at a formal event, during a meeting or presentation, or when directing someone to a designated seating area. Example: "Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. The presentation will begin shortly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Please be seated," he said.

The New York Times

Then, as if to prove the point, he says to the spellbound audience, "Please be seated".

The New Yorker

Please Be Seated In restaurants or buildings with single-occupancy restrooms, one for men and one for women, is it gauche to use the opposite-sex-designated restroom?

The New York Times

Household issue he's fussy about: When I am having a dinner party and the food hits the table, please be seated already.

The New York Times - Magazine

If it were to do the same over the next 99 years, a swipe in the year 2103 would cost -- please be seated if you can find a seat -- $80.

The New York Times

Please, please be seated.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Please, everybody be seated.

Huffington Post

And that he is so warm and gracious and hospitable: "John, please, let us be seated and drink something".

The Guardian - Film

We always seemed to be at the margins of places: the driveway of the Fontainebleau Hilton, or the glassed-in elevator leading to a rooftop restaurant where we could momentarily peek over the "Please Wait to Be Seated" sign at the endless ocean below, the Old World we had left behind so far and yet deceptively near.

The New Yorker

Soon after, we find the young scientist at dinner in Copenhagen pleased not to be seated near the great Niels Bohr, "who was likely to be expressing thoughts that no one around him, Danish or foreign, could understand".

The New York Times - Books

A good example for a promising sign is: "If you sprinkle when you tinkle, please be neat and wipe the seat".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please be seated" when addressing a group, especially in formal settings like presentations or ceremonies. It's a polite and efficient way to start an event or transition to a seated activity.

Common error

Avoid using "please be seated" in casual settings. It can sound overly formal or even sarcastic when addressing friends or family. Opt for simpler phrases like "sit down" or "take a seat" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please be seated" functions as an imperative, specifically a polite command or request. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it directly instructs or invites someone to sit down. Examples in Ludwig show it used in diverse contexts, from formal announcements to casual directions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please be seated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used imperative phrase for politely instructing or inviting people to sit down. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate in various situations, particularly formal events or meetings. While alternatives like "take a seat" or "have a seat" exist, "please be seated" carries a slightly more formal tone and is best suited for addressing groups. It is predominantly found in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a seat

A more concise and slightly less formal way to invite someone to sit.

be seated

Omits the "please" for a slightly more direct, but still polite, instruction.

have a seat

Similar in formality to "take a seat", offering a place to sit.

sit down, please

Inverts the structure while maintaining politeness.

kindly be seated

Replaces "please" with "kindly" for a slightly more formal tone.

please take your seat

Specifies that each person should occupy their designated seat.

would you please sit down

Phrased as a question, adding a layer of politeness.

may I ask you to be seated

A very formal and deferential way of requesting someone to sit.

find a seat

Implies the person needs to locate an available seat.

let's all be seated

Includes the speaker in the request, suggesting a collective action.

FAQs

How to use "please be seated" in a sentence?

You can use "please be seated" at the beginning of an event or meeting to politely ask attendees to sit down, such as, "Ladies and gentlemen, "please be seated". We will begin shortly."

What can I say instead of "please be seated"?

You can use alternatives like "take a seat", "have a seat", or simply "sit down", depending on the formality of the situation.

Is it more polite to say "please be seated" or "please take a seat"?

"Please be seated" is generally considered more formal and is suitable for addressing a group, whereas "please take a seat" is slightly less formal and can be used when addressing individuals or small groups. Both are polite.

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

It's appropriate to use "please be seated" in formal environments like theaters, ceremonies, conferences, or any situation where you need to efficiently direct a group of people to sit down at the same time.