please say

USAGE SUMMARY

'please say' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use 'please say' as a polite request or plea for someone to speak. For example: "Please say the words I need to hear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Grandma please say something".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Please say that".

The New Yorker

Please say it is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Someone, please, say something.

The New York Times

"Please say it's not four".

The New Yorker

"Please say anything that occurs to you".

The New Yorker

All in favour, please say "Aye".

Independent

Please say you're up for it.

The Guardian

Please say nothing to dispel this idea.

The Guardian - Music

Please say she's doing Swagger Jagger.

The Guardian - Music

"Please say more words," Molly whispered.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please say" when you want to politely encourage someone to speak or provide information. Ensure that the context is appropriate for a direct request.

Common error

While "please say" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal documents or academic papers can sound less professional. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "kindly elaborate" or "would you clarify".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "please say" is an imperative phrase used to make a polite request or entreaty. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, functioning as a direct yet courteous way to solicit a verbal response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please say" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to politely request someone to speak. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it functions as an imperative, encouraging verbal communication across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for most everyday conversations, more formal alternatives like "kindly express" might be preferable in certain settings. Common errors include overuse in formal writing. Remember to use it correctly and avoid incorrect phrasing like "please say me". Consider alternatives like "please speak" or "would you tell me" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please speak

A direct and polite request for someone to talk.

would you tell me

Polite and indirect way of asking someone to say something.

kindly express

More formal alternative, suitable for professional or polite contexts.

I ask you to say

Emphasizes the speaker's desire for the other person to speak.

give your response

Specifically asks for a reply or reaction.

could you articulate

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the speech.

share your thoughts

Invites someone to express their opinions or ideas.

voice your opinion

Highlights expressing one's opinion publicly.

state your position

More formal and focuses on declaring an opinion or stance.

utter a word

Emphasizes any form of verbal expression, even minimal.

FAQs

How do I use "please say" in a sentence?

You can use "please say" to politely ask someone to speak or provide information. For example, "If you agree, please say 'yes'." or "Please say what's on your mind".

What can I say instead of "please say"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "kindly express", "please speak", or "would you tell me".

Is it correct to say "please say me"?

No, "please say me" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "please say", followed by what you want the person to say. For example, "Please say hello" not "Please say me hello".

What is the difference between "please say" and "can you say"?

"Please say" is a polite request or sometimes a plea, while "can you say" inquires about someone's ability to say something. For instance, "Please say you'll come" expresses a wish, whereas "Can you say 'hello' in French?" asks about language skills.