please wait

USAGE SUMMARY

"please wait" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used as a polite request or suggestion to wait for an appropriate amount of time before proceeding. For example, "Please wait a few moments before entering the room so that everyone has a chance to settle in before the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Please wait for summer".

The New York Times - Sports

Please wait a moment".

The New York Times - Tech

Please wait for further announcements.

Independent

"Just, please, wait, my love.

The New Yorker

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load.

Independent

Please wait a moment for the liveblog to load.

Independent

MR. ROMNEY: Will you please — would you please wait?

The New York Times

"You will please wait for me outside," he said.

The New Yorker

He asked me to please wait a few minutes.

The New York Times

Please wait for 15 minutes before trying again.

The Guardian

And the manager said, 'Please wait, please wait, a nice surprise is coming in the movie.' And he gave me a free lolly, and so I went back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please wait" when you need someone to pause an action, process, or conversation politely. It's versatile for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "please wait" excessively in extremely casual settings where simpler phrases like "hold on" or "just a sec" are more appropriate. Overusing formal language can sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please wait" functions as an imperative, directing someone to pause an action or delay their progress. It serves as a polite command, requesting temporary inaction as Ludwig examples confirm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

The New Yorker

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

HuffPost

4%

Forbes

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please wait" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common imperative phrase used to politely request a pause or delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile for various contexts. While mostly neutral in register, overusing it in very informal settings should be avoided. Alternatives like "hold on a moment" or "just a second" are more casual options. The phrase's widespread use across news, media, and instructional wikis underscores its importance in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold on a moment

Less formal and often used in casual conversation.

just a second

Very informal, suggesting a minimal wait time.

kindly hold

More formal and polite request to wait.

delay momentarily

Emphasizes a short duration of waiting.

wait briefly

More direct and less polite than "please wait".

pause briefly

Highlights the action of pausing rather than the waiting itself.

hold the line

Specifically used when asking someone to wait on the telephone.

allow a moment

Asks for permission to take a short break before proceeding.

momentarily delay

Focuses on the temporary nature of the delay.

bear with me

Implies the waiting might be slightly inconvenient.

FAQs

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

You can use "please wait" to politely ask someone to pause. For example, "Please wait here while I check your reservation", or "Please wait a moment for the page to load".

What are some alternatives to "please wait"?

Some alternatives include "hold on a moment", "just a second", or "kindly hold", depending on the level of formality.

Is it better to say "please wait" or "kindly wait"?

"Kindly wait" is slightly more formal and emphasizes politeness, but "please wait" is perfectly acceptable and more common in most situations.

What's the difference between "please wait" and "hold on"?

"Please wait" is generally more polite and can be used in various settings. "Hold on" is more informal and suitable for casual conversations, acting as a more direct way to ask someone to pause.