please name

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please name" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to provide a name or title for something, such as a person, place, or object. Example: "In your response, please name the author of the book you read last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

And please NAME NAMES".

The New York Times

"Please name a single tribe in the last 500 years that became better off after contact.

The Guardian

Students can learn some useful words including: please, name, thank you, hello, goodbye, good, bad, friends and sorry using these attractive flash cards.

The Guardian

He should have put a direct and simple question to Mr. Romney: "Please name the deductions and exemptions you plan to eliminate in order to cut taxes without increasing the deficit.

The New York Times

If you work (or have worked) for such an employer, please name it below and tell us a bit about why you think the rule came to be and whether it was a good or bad thing.

The New York Times

Please name four additional methods!

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

During a short trip to Paris, for example, she met a publisher named Robert Laffont and found a Nabokovian delight in his aesthetically pleasing name.

The New York Times - Books

Whether your thoughts are terrifying or pleasing, name them "thinking" with all your honesty and gentleness.

Huffington Post

So they rely on other cues — like political affiliations, pleasing names and who knows what else — to elect judges, legislators and other down-ballot officials.

The New York Times

Please note names have been changed to protect identity.

The Guardian

Please note: Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please name" when you want to politely request someone to provide specific names or examples, ensuring clarity and respect in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "please name" in casual conversations or informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural phrasing like "can you tell me" or "what's the name?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please name" functions as a polite imperative, used to request someone to provide a specific name or list of names. This usage is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please name" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for politely requesting someone to specify a name or names. Ludwig confirms its correctness and prevalence in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When writing, it's best to reserve "please name" for situations where a degree of formality and politeness is required, opting for more casual alternatives in informal conversations. This phrase is generally considered neutral to professional and ensures clarity and respect in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kindly specify

More formal alternative using "specify" instead of "name".

please identify

Replaces "name" with "identify", implying a more formal request for recognition.

can you name

More casual phrasing using "can" instead of "please".

list the names of

Requests a list, suitable when multiple names are expected.

state the name

More formal and direct request.

provide the name

Similar to "state the name" but slightly less formal.

tell me the name

Informal way of asking for a name.

what is the name

Direct question seeking a name.

could you name

Polite request, replacing "please" with "could you".

would you name

A more formal and polite alternative using "would you".

FAQs

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

You can use "please name" to politely ask someone to identify or specify something. For example, "Please name three factors that contribute to climate change" or "If you have any concerns, please name them specifically".

What are some alternatives to "please name"?

Alternatives include "kindly specify", "please identify", or "can you name", depending on the level of formality required.

Is it more polite to say "please name" or "can you name"?

"Please name" is generally considered more polite than "can you name", as it includes an explicit "please". However, the level of politeness also depends on the context and tone of voice.

When should I use "please name" instead of "what is the name of"?

Use "please name" when you want to make a polite request for someone to provide a name or list of names. "What is the name of" is more direct and suitable for situations where formality is less important.