please move

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please move" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a polite request for someone to change their position or location. Example: "Excuse me, could you please move to the side so I can pass?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Please move the thunderstorms.

The New York Times

If not, could we please move along?

The New Yorker

Please move your bike away from the closing doors.

The New Yorker

He asks if we can please move on.

The Guardian

/ Please move quickly, as we have detected live fire on your flank.

The New Yorker

"Please move quickly to withdraw from my case," the letter said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"He saw that … we have a mind that does exactly as it pleases, moves back and forth in time.

The Guardian - Books

Please, Mr. Bloomberg, move closer to us.

The New York Times

"Please stop moving," he said.

The New Yorker

Everyone else please keep moving on the sidewalk".

The New York Times

As you will see, the reviews are very positive and we will be pleased to move towards acceptance once the following issue is addressed.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please move" in formal writing, consider the audience and context. If a more direct command is necessary, rephrase to avoid sounding overly polite when authority needs to be asserted. In some situations, being too polite may be interpreted as passive or lacking confidence. In contrast, use it in situations that require politeness, or when the addressee has a higher status than the speaker.

Common error

In emergency situations, avoid using "please move" as it may not convey the necessary urgency. Use direct commands like "move now" or "get out of the way" to ensure immediate action. Prioritize clarity and speed over politeness in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please move" primarily functions as an imperative, used to issue a polite request or command. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a common and acceptable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please move" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to politely request someone to change their position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable across various registers, particularly in news media and professional environments. When writing, it's important to consider the level of urgency and formality required. While "please move" is suitable in most situations, more direct commands may be necessary in urgent contexts, whereas more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly step aside

Replaces "please" with "kindly" and uses "step aside" for a slightly more formal tone.

excuse me, could you shift

Adds "excuse me" for politeness and replaces "move" with "shift", indicating a slight adjustment in position.

would you mind moving

Uses a more indirect and polite question format.

can we move on

Shifts the context to changing the subject or topic of discussion.

could you make way, please

Employs "make way" to convey clearing a path, maintaining politeness with "please".

shift over, if you please

A more casual way to ask someone to move a short distance.

reposition yourself, please

A formal request for someone to change their location or posture.

can we change the subject

A direct request to stop discussing the current topic and move to a different one.

let's proceed

Suggests continuing forward, either physically or in a discussion.

time to move along

Indicates it's time to leave or continue on a journey.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to move?

You can use phrases like "Excuse me, "could you move" please?" or "Would you mind moving a little?" for a polite request.

What's a more formal way to say "please move"?

In formal situations, consider using phrases such as "kindly step aside" or "I request that you move".

When is it appropriate to use "please move along"?

"Please move along" is suitable when directing a crowd to continue moving forward, often used by authorities to prevent congestion or loitering.

Is there a difference between "please move" and "please move over"?

"Please move over" specifically asks someone to shift their position to create space, usually laterally, while "please move" is a more general request to change position.