please do not mention it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please do not mention it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it as a polite response when someone thanks you for something, indicating that you don't want them to feel obligated to acknowledge it further. Example: "Thank you for your help!" "Oh, please do not mention it." Alternative expressions include "no need to mention it," "don't mention it," and "it's nothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Please don't mention it!" he pleads.

The Guardian - Film

"Please don't mention it," he said the other day, laughing, able to do so at age 40.

The New York Times

Also, a baggy pair of cargo shorts will be added to every costume so that DUDEZ in the stands won't feel jealous of the dancers' jacked asses, but that's hardly even worth mentioning, so please don't mention it.

The New Yorker

Please do not mention to anybody that you received this letter.

The New Yorker

And please do not mention the plaque's side trip into the Passaic River.

The New York Times

At his wedding he made one request to the rabbi: "Please do not mention Jennifer".

The New York Times

Please do not mention that word directly in these discussions; refer instead to 'WL'WL

The Guardian

The message, which was posted in French, translated roughly as: "Please do not mention my name or anything I do.

The New York Times

Please don't mention that I'm a United States Marine, it may make me sound patriotic".

The New Yorker

Please don't mention that to NaNoWriMo.

The Guardian - Books

Please don't mention the music channels.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Deploy this phrase in professional settings when you need to politely instruct someone not to disclose a specific piece of information.

Common error

Avoid using "please do not mention it" if the recipient of your favor is clearly trying to show deep appreciation. In such cases, dismissive phrases—even polite ones—can unintentionally minimize the importance of the relationship or the effort you put in. Use a warmer alternative like "<a href="/s/happy+to+help" target="_blank" rel="alternative">happy to help" instead.

Linguistic Context

This is a polite imperative phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a directive that can either serve a social phatic purpose (responding to gratitude) or a pragmatic one (requesting confidentiality). In grammatical terms, it uses the adverb "please" to soften the negative imperative "do not mention."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please do not mention it" is a versatile and essential phrase in the English language. Ludwig AI verifies its correctness as a polite way to respond to thanks or to request discretion. Its presence in high-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in professional settings. Whether you are being humble about a favor or serious about a secret, this phrase provides the necessary blend of politeness and clarity. While "<a href="/s/don't+mention+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">don't mention it" serves well for casual chats, the uncontracted form remains the gold standard for formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

don't mention it

More informal and conversational than the original query.

think nothing of it

A traditional, slightly more formal idiomatic response to a favor or apology.

it was nothing

The most concise way to express that a favor was not a burden.

you're very welcome

A standard and direct response to a thank you rather than a modest deflection.

it's no trouble at all

Focuses on the lack of effort involved in the favor performed.

no need to bring it up

Casual phrasing used to dismiss a topic from conversation.

please keep this confidential

Explicitly emphasizes the need for secrecy rather than general social modesty.

my pleasure

A common service-oriented alternative that emphasizes the speaker's willingness.

kindly refrain from mentioning it

Significantly more formal and polite when used as a directive.

please do not speak of it

Carries a more serious or dramatic tone regarding secrecy.

FAQs

How to use "please do not mention it" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone response to a thank you, such as: "Thank you for the ride!" "Oh, "please do not mention it"." Alternatively, it can be a directive: ""Please do not mention it" to the board until the deal is finalized."

What can I say instead of "please do not mention it"?

Depending on the context, you can use "<a href="/s/don't+mention+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">don't mention it", "<a href="/s/you're+welcome" target="_blank" rel="alternative">you're welcome", or "<a href="/s/keep+this+between+us" target="_blank" rel="alternative">keep this between us".

Is "please do not mention it" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to formal. While the contracted version "<a href="/s/don't+mention+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">don't mention it" is common in casual speech, the full version is more appropriate for professional writing and business correspondence.

Which is correct, "please do not mention it" or "please do not mention to it"?

The phrase ""please do not mention it"" is correct. Adding the preposition "to" makes the sentence ungrammatical because "mention" is a transitive verb that directly takes the object "it".