please obey that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please obey that" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when asking someone to follow a specific directive or rule, but it is better to clarify what "that" refers to. Example: "In this situation, please obey that rule regarding safety protocols."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Now please obey that instruction".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Please obey school rules.

WikiHow

Please, obey the law at all times.

WikiHow

To obey that kind of thing.

The New York Times

Please remember that.

WikiHow

Please respect that.

WikiHow

The referee obeyed that diktat to the letter.

The New York Times - Sports

Please comment on that.

F1000Research

Please tick all that apply.

British Journal of Cancer

Many large parking lots do have posted speed limits, these are for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers, please note and obey them.

WikiHow

Please note that the elementary particles of the standard model are not to be thought of as classical objects like billiard balls; they obey all the rules of quantum mechanics.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "please obey that", ensure that the referent of "that" is clear to the audience. For instance, specify the rule, instruction, or law you are referring to for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "please obey that" without clearly defining what "that" refers to. This lack of clarity can cause confusion and non-compliance. Instead, be specific: "Please obey that safety protocol."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please obey that" functions as an imperative, directing someone to comply with a specific rule, instruction, or command. The inclusion of 'please' softens the command, making it more polite. However, its effectiveness hinges on the clear understanding of what 'that' refers to.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please obey that" is a grammatically acceptable phrase used to instruct someone to comply with something, but it's considered somewhat awkward and infrequent in modern English. As Ludwig AI tells us, it is best to clarify what "that" refers to avoid any confusion. The phrase is most often found in news, wiki, and science-related content, and authoritative sources such as The New York Times use it. Alternatives like "please comply with that" or "please follow that instruction" are often clearer and more impactful. To ensure effective communication, specifying the rule or instruction being referenced is highly recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please follow that instruction

Specifies 'instruction' making it clearer and more direct than 'that'.

please comply with that

Uses 'comply' which emphasizes agreement and acting in accordance with a command or rule.

kindly adhere to that

This alternative uses 'kindly adhere' making it slightly more formal and polite.

please respect that decision

Changes 'obey' to 'respect' implying acceptance rather than direct compliance.

please be mindful of that

Implies being attentive and careful, rather than directly obeying.

please observe that

Shifts from obeying a command to noting a fact or situation.

please note that

Similar to 'observe' but more focused on remembering or taking into account.

please remember that

Emphasizes the act of recalling something, rather than following a command.

please consider that

Asks for thoughtful contemplation, not necessarily obedience.

please acknowledge that

Requests recognition and acceptance, not necessarily compliance.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "please obey that" more clear?

To improve clarity, explicitly state what "that" refers to. For instance, instead of "Please obey that", say "Please obey "please obey the rule"" or "Please obey "please obey the law"". Specifying the object of obedience avoids ambiguity.

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

A more formal alternative is "Kindly comply with that" or "Please ensure compliance with that". These options replace the more direct "obey" with terms that suggest adherence to standards or regulations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "please obey that"?

While grammatically sound, "please obey that" can sound awkward. It's essential to clarify the subject of "that" to ensure clear communication. Ludwig AI confirms that although the phrase is not incorrect, it may not be the most elegant choice.

Are there alternatives to "please obey that" that are less direct?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "Please respect that" or "Please be mindful of that". These options suggest consideration and adherence without the force of a direct command, which may be suitable in certain contexts.