silence please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "silence please" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are requesting quiet or attention, such as in a classroom or during a presentation. Example: "As the speaker prepares to begin, I would like to ask for silence please so everyone can hear clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Silence, please.

The Guardian - Music

A moment of silence, please.

The New York Times - Sports

A moment of appreciative silence, please.

The New York Times

(A moment of silence, please, for "Dance of the Vampires").

The New York Times

A moment of silence, please, for the lost art of shutting up.

The New York Times - Books

Silence, please Chris Evert, Wimbledon champion three times between 1974-81, had had a right old go at Serena Williams.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

But, gazing at the silent metronome, he smiled a little, as if the silence pleased him.

The New Yorker

Thus we did not use "sparse" scanning and the task was not performed in silence (although please note our use of etymotic earphones plus ear-defenders, and the constant nature of the scanner sounds regardless of experimental conditions).

Human Brain Mapping

Yes, widescreen is great, but a moment of silence if you please for SXGA.

TechCrunch

I need silence, if you please".

Huffington Post

"At a lot of churches several years ago, you probably would have heard the pastor make an announcement to please silence your cellphone.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "silence please" as part of a larger, polite request. For example: "If I could have everyone's attention, silence please, so we can begin the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "silence please" in very formal or sensitive situations, such as a memorial service. Instead, opt for phrases like "a moment of silence" or "please observe a moment of quiet reflection" for a more respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "silence please" functions primarily as an imperative request. It's a direct way to ask for quiet, leveraging the noun 'silence' and the politeness marker 'please'. Ludwig AI validates this usage across multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "silence please" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to directly request quiet. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across various sources, especially in news media and general contexts. While direct, the phrase is softened by the inclusion of 'please', making it suitable for neutral settings. When writing, remember that while effective, "silence please" may not be appropriate for very formal or sensitive situations, where more polite alternatives are preferable. Consider "quiet please" or other similar phrases for nuanced communication. Always adapt your choice based on context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quiet please

Direct synonym, using a different adjective to request quiet.

hush please

Another direct synonym, implying a softer, more gentle request for quiet.

please be quiet

Rephrases the request as an instruction, adding a verb.

can we have silence

A more polite and indirect request for silence.

silence is requested

A passive voice construction, making the request more formal.

everyone be quiet

Addresses the request to a group, specifying the audience.

please refrain from talking

A formal request to stop talking, suitable for professional settings.

a moment of silence

Requests a brief period of quiet, often for respect or contemplation.

could you keep it down

An informal request to lower the volume of noise.

quiet down everyone

Instructs a group to become quiet, suitable for classrooms or meetings.

FAQs

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

You can use "silence please" to directly request quiet. For example: "As the speaker prepares to begin, I would like to ask for silence please so everyone can hear clearly."

What's a more polite way to ask for silence?

Instead of "silence please", you could say "please be quiet" or "can we have silence" for a more courteous tone.

When is it appropriate to use "silence please"?

The phrase "silence please" is appropriate in settings where you need immediate quiet, such as in a classroom, during a presentation, or on a film set. It is best used when a direct approach is suitable.

What are some alternatives to "silence please"?

Alternatives include "quiet please", "hush please", or "please refrain from talking" depending on the level of formality required.