please look at

USAGE SUMMARY

"please look at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are asking someone to inspect or consider something. For example, "Please look at this document before signing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Please look at the paintings.

Independent

Please look at the owner's manual".

The New York Times - Tech

Please look at this thing in a more objective manner".

The New York Times

"Please look at the facts, not newspaper headlines".

The New York Times - Sports

For more information, please look at tygar.net.

University of California, Berkeley

Please look at the reading guide.

Yale University

Please look at me: I am from India.

The New York Times - Magazine

Please look at the sky! –C'mon, I said please.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

As if the me-generation wasn't self-involved enough, it has evolved into the please-look-at-me generation.

Huffington Post

Investors need to be very careful, he said: "I'd like carved on my gravestone: 'Please look at the dollars.' ".

The New York Times

All there is is this really stupid email that went out to about 70 people saying, 'Please look at my song.'".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please look at", ensure the object of attention is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Please look at", specify "Please look at the data in the chart".

Common error

While "please look at" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "examine", "review", or "analyze" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please look at" functions primarily as an imperative, specifically a polite request or instruction. It directs the recipient to focus their attention on a particular item or piece of information. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

37%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please look at" is a versatile phrase used to politely direct someone's attention, predominantly found in News & Media and Academia contexts. Ludwig shows that it functions as an imperative, prompting visual inspection and consideration. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to be mindful of context and avoid overuse in highly formal settings, opting for synonyms like "examine" or "review". The related phrases, such as "take a look at" or "kindly examine", offer alternatives based on desired formality and nuance. With its high frequency and clear function, mastering the use of "please look at" enhances both clarity and politeness in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a look at

A more casual and common way of asking someone to view something.

check out

A very informal way of asking someone to look at something.

kindly examine

Replaces "look" with a more formal synonym "examine" and maintains the polite request.

give your attention to

Emphasizes the act of focusing one's attention rather than simply viewing.

turn your attention to

Similar to "give your attention to", but implies a shift in focus.

direct your gaze to

A more literary or formal way to suggest looking at something.

focus your eyes on

Highlights the act of directing one's vision to a specific point.

cast your eye upon

A more archaic and literary way to say "look at".

scrutinize

Suggests a detailed and critical examination.

peruse

A more formal term suggesting a careful reading or examination.

FAQs

How can I use "please look at" in a sentence?

Use "please look at" to politely direct someone's attention to something. For example, "Please look at the attached document" or "Please look at the evidence before making a decision".

What can I say instead of "please look at"?

You can use alternatives like "take a look at", "kindly examine", or "review" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "please look at" or "can you look at"?

"Please look at" is a direct, yet polite, request. "Can you look at" is a question asking for someone's availability or willingness to look. Both are correct, but their implications differ slightly.

What's the difference between "please look at" and "see"?

"See" generally refers to the act of perceiving with your eyes. "Please look at" is a request to intentionally direct your gaze and attention toward something specific.