please listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please listen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to request someone's attention or ask them to pay attention to what you are saying. Example: "Before we proceed with the meeting, I would like to say a few words, so please listen carefully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Please, listen to Brett".

The New York Times

"Please listen," Mr. Sherak said.

The New York Times

Please listen to the cave.

The Guardian

As Dick Gibson might say, Please listen.

The New Yorker

Governor Cuomo, please listen to New Yorkers.

The New York Times

"Please listen!" he commanded a visitor.

The New York Times

"Please listen to your local officials," she added.

The New York Times

"Please listen to me!" he pleaded to the crowd.

The New York Times

If you favor gutting "Obamacare," please listen to Scott's story.

The New York Times

"Please listen: I'm not being held against my will".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

America-Please Listen to Mother Teresa.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of your message, follow "please listen" with a clear indication of why listening is important, such as "...because this affects everyone" or "...as this is crucial for understanding the next steps".

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "please listen" in formal documents or academic papers. Instead, opt for more nuanced phrasing like "I would like to draw your attention to..." or "It is important to consider...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please listen" functions as an imperative, used to directly request or command someone to pay attention. As Ludwig AI also confirms, this phrase is a standard way to ask someone to focus on what you are about to say. Examples in the data show this being used in diverse settings from casual conversations to more formal announcements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Huffington Post

3%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "please listen" serves as a direct and commonly used imperative to request attention. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "please listen" is generally neutral in tone, adjusting the phrasing to alternatives like "kindly listen" or "hear me out" may be more appropriate for formal settings. When using "please listen", ensure clarity in your subsequent message to maximize impact and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly listen

Replaces "please" with "kindly", maintaining a polite tone but sounding slightly more formal.

would you listen

Phrases the request as a question, softening the imperative.

hear me out

Emphasizes the speaker's desire to be fully heard before judgment.

give me your attention

Directly asks for focus and attentiveness.

pay attention

A straightforward request for focus.

take heed

Implies that listening will result in gaining valuable advice or warning.

listen up

A more informal and direct command to listen.

consider this

Encourages thoughtful listening and reflection on the information presented.

lend me your ear

A more figurative and polite request to listen.

be all ears

Invites someone to share information expecting to hear it all.

FAQs

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

"Please listen" is typically used to ask someone to pay attention to what you're about to say. For example, "Please listen carefully, as the instructions have changed."

What can I say instead of "please listen"?

You can use alternatives like "kindly listen", "hear me out", or "pay attention" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "please listen"?

"Please listen" is appropriate when you need someone to focus on what you are saying. It can be used in both formal and informal settings, although in very formal contexts, a more polite phrasing might be preferred.

What is the difference between "please listen" and "listen up"?

"Please listen" is generally more polite and can be used in various situations. "Listen up" is more informal and is often used to get the attention of a group quickly.