please boys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please boys" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is addressing a group of boys or young men, often to request their attention or cooperation. Example: "Please boys, settle down and pay attention to the lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The aprons, in designs to please boys or girls, like cowboys and splashy dots, are $28 each at Ms. Kidston's store, 201 Mulberry Street (Spring Street).

The New York Times

1. Girls find making out boring, but they'll do it to please boys.

Huffington Post

They may credit the victory of Sanders to Jews voting for Jews or young women voting for Sanders in order to please boys and not because of an anger at wealth inequalities and a criminal (in)justice system.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is hardly surprising that submitters should want to please the boys in the front office; power is famously seductive.

The Guardian - Business

('Pick up milk on your way home, please'thethe boys need to be picked up from practice at 5 P.M., not 6.') … Do I feel ruled by technology?

The New York Times

"It's frightening to think of the excruciating balance in which I've lived my life," her protagonist says, remembering how, in adolescence, she tried to please the boys she wanted to be.

The New York Times - Books

It's a vital work for parents and teachers of teenagers, outlining how little girls know about their own pleasure centres and how they seem to believe they're only there to please the boys and not themselves.

The Guardian - Books

And it's still too easily and patronisingly pinpointed as to "wanting to please the boys" – a condescending and simplistic approach to women who want to look "sexy" because it's just one of the many things that can make them feel powerful and strong.

Independent

General Electric, two weeks after saying its merger with Honeywell International had "zero chance" of completion in the face of European Union opposition, has proposed a new concession in an effort to please the boys in Brussels.

Forbes

Because if you've never been told to play dumb to please the boys, you might not appreciate the righteousness of our own cause as women: not to be considered inferior human beings on account of our gender.

Huffington Post

Those hard-to-please boys would probably find Blue Man Group and "Stomp" right up their alley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context: If you are speaking to children, "please boys" may be suitable. If you are speaking to older teenagers or young men, consider "gentlemen" or "lads" as alternatives for a more mature tone.

Common error

Avoid using "please boys" in formal settings like business meetings or academic presentations. Opt for more professional language such as "gentlemen, please" or "could I have your attention, please".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please boys" functions primarily as an imperative request directed towards a group of boys. It combines the politeness marker "please" with a direct address, aiming to solicit compliance or cooperation. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment confirming its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please boys" is a grammatically correct phrase primarily used to make polite requests or seek attention from a group of boys. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable but relatively rare. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki and Formal & Business contexts, fitting an informal to neutral register. When using this phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure appropriateness, opting for more formal alternatives like "gentlemen, please" in professional settings. Remember to check Ludwig for more examples and alternative phrasing options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come on, lads

Replaces "boys" with "lads", a more informal term.

listen up, boys

Emphasizes the need for attention before making a request.

excuse me, boys

Adds a polite form of address before the request.

hey boys, please

Inverts the order and uses a less formal greeting.

gentlemen, please

Uses a more formal term, "gentlemen", to address the boys.

boys, if you please

Adds a touch of politeness by using "if you please".

now boys, please

Introduces a sense of urgency or immediacy.

okay boys, please

Similar in usage, "okay" prefaces the request.

you boys, please

Highlights or singles out the group of boys being addressed.

fellows, please

Replaces "boys" with "fellows", a slightly older-sounding term.

FAQs

How can I use "please boys" in a sentence?

You can use "please boys" to politely request something from a group of boys. For example, "Please boys, settle down and listen to the instructions."

Are there more formal alternatives to "please boys"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "gentlemen, please" or "lads, please" depending on the context and your relationship with the group.

Is it appropriate to use "please boys" in professional settings?

In general, "please boys" is not appropriate for professional settings. It's better to use more formal language like "excuse me" or "may I have your attention" when addressing colleagues or superiors.

What's the difference between "please boys" and "come on, boys"?

"Please boys" is a polite request, while "come on, boys" is often used to encourage or urge action. The former seeks compliance, while the latter seeks motivation.