please put out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please put out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to extinguish something, such as a fire or a cigarette. Example: "Could you please put out your cigarette before entering the building?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oh, father, please put out the fire that is burning our land.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When something is released -- whether it's in response to a Freedom of Information request or in my case, where I said there's 55,000 pages out there, please put them out, there is a process that has to be gone through.

Los Angeles Times

"We've not seen any evidence of backdoors into the network," said Vodafone's most senior lawyer in the U.K. "If the Americans have evidence, please put it out on the table". And this neatly summed up Washington's conundrum.

Forbes

"Please put me out of my misery," he pleads.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I suspect he's a decent chap, so please put him out of this particular misery.

The Guardian

Please, put us out of our misery now, as this house and this government appear incapable of doing.

The Guardian

So if you've seen them around your area, or know if they mean anything, please put me out of my misery.

Independent

2.48pm: Paul Tooby has an appeal: "Please put me out of my misery on the 'maybe second' team to win the World Cup outside Europe and The Americas!

The Guardian - Sport

Not to belabor the point, but Fareed Zakaria begins his column on the matter by saying: "Will someone please put Sarah Palin out of her agony?" Naturally, I only object to the "her agony" part.

Huffington Post

Please put us all out of our misery in the comments.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

(It would be scandalous to suggest that Sun reporters have been busy pretending to be Mickey M, so please put that thought out of your mind).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please put out" when you want to politely request someone to extinguish a fire, cigarette, or similar object. Ensure the context involves something that can be extinguished.

Common error

Avoid using "please put out" for situations where 'turning off' or 'switching off' is more appropriate, such as electrical appliances. "Please put out the light" is acceptable if referring to a candle, but not a light bulb. Use "please turn off" for electrical lights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please put out" functions as a polite imperative, used to request or instruct someone to extinguish something. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in written English. It combines a polite request ("please") with a phrasal verb ("put out").

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "please put out" is a common and polite way to ask someone to extinguish something that is burning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, from News & Media to general conversation. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves something that can actually be extinguished, such as a cigarette or a small fire. More formal alternatives include "please extinguish" or "would you mind extinguishing". Avoiding misapplication, such as using it for electrical appliances, will ensure clear and correct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please extinguish

Focuses specifically on stopping a fire or light.

kindly snuff out

Emphasizes a gentle or polite way to extinguish something like a candle or cigarette.

could you extinguish

Uses a polite question format for asking someone to extinguish something.

please turn off

Suitable for electrical devices or lights; broader application than "put out".

please switch off

Similar to 'turn off', commonly used in British English.

would you mind extinguishing

A very polite way to ask someone to extinguish something.

please douse

Specifically refers to extinguishing a fire with liquid.

please quell

Implies suppressing or subduing something, which can include a fire or unrest.

please suppress

Suggests holding back or stopping something, like a feeling or fire.

please end

A more general term that can apply to ending a process or activity, including something that needs to be 'put out'.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "please put out"?

The phrase "please put out" is appropriate when you are politely asking someone to extinguish something that is burning, such as a cigarette or a fire. It is not typically used for electrical devices; instead, use "please turn off".

Are there more formal alternatives to "please put out"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "please extinguish" or "would you mind extinguishing". These phrases are suitable for professional or formal settings where politeness is emphasized.

Can I use "please put out" in a business setting?

Yes, "please put out" is acceptable in a business setting if someone is smoking in a non-smoking area or if there's a small fire. It is polite and direct. For example, "Could you please put out your cigarette before the meeting starts?"

What's the difference between "please put out" and "please put away"?

"Please put out" means to extinguish something that is burning. "Please put away" means to return an item to its proper storage location. Using them interchangeably would be incorrect. For example, you "please put away" toys after playing with them.