please by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'please by' is not grammatically correct in written English.
If you want to express that you request someone to purchase something, you can use the phrase 'please buy.' For example: "Can you please buy some milk when you go to the grocery store?".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Who will he please by doing so?

The New York Times

So yes, please, by all means: let's keep the neutral zone free of congestion.

The New Yorker

And yes, if you've got a gun, please by all means go right ahead.

The New York Times

Please, by all means, question our evidence, our assumptions or our methods.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Who are we trying to please by doing a 2-2," she wrote in an e-mail.

The New Yorker

"I don't know who [the mint is] trying to please by hanging on to it," Mr. Martin said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Pleased by the threat?

The New York Times

Who is pleased by this squalid spectacle?

The New Yorker

"He's obviously pleased by the outcome.

The New York Times

Isis will be pleased by both.

Independent

I was pleased by one thing though.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When intending to ask someone to purchase something, always use "please buy" instead of the ungrammatical "please by".

Common error

A common mistake is using "please by" when the intention is to ask someone to "buy" something. Remember that "buy" is the correct verb to use in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please by" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a standard grammatical function in English. It's often intended to be a request, but the correct form is "please buy."

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "please by" is grammatically incorrect in English. As indicated by Ludwig, the intended meaning is often a request for someone to purchase something, in which case the correct phrase is "please buy". It's important to avoid using "please by" in writing and speech to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Using correct phrases, such as "please buy", ensures effective communication. Always prioritize grammatical accuracy to convey your intended message clearly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please buy

Replaces 'by' with 'buy' to form a grammatically correct request for someone to purchase something.

please stand by

Changes the phrase to indicate a request for someone to wait.

pleased by

Modifies the phrase to express being happy or satisfied with something.

if you please

Adds a polite closing to a request, changing the grammatical structure.

please comply with

Replaces 'by' with 'comply with' to indicate adherence to a rule or request.

please abide by

Similar to 'comply with', this emphasizes adherence to guidelines or regulations.

please go by

Changes the phrase to suggest following a route or method.

please let me by

A request to allow passage.

please send by

A request to send something using a particular method.

please pay by

Specifies a method of payment.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "please by"?

The phrase "please by" is grammatically incorrect. If you intend to ask someone to purchase something, the correct phrase is "please buy".

What can I say instead of "please by"?

Since "please by" is not grammatically correct, consider alternatives such as "please buy" if you want someone to purchase something. Other alternatives, depending on context, may be "please stand by" or "pleased by".

Is "please by" grammatically correct?

No, "please by" is not grammatically correct in standard English. Consider using the correct phrase, such as "please buy".

When should I use "please buy" instead of "please by"?

Use "please buy" when you are politely requesting someone to make a purchase. The phrase "please by" is not grammatically correct and should not be used.