will you please

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will you please" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to politely ask someone to do something. For example, "Will you please remind me to call my mother tomorrow?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Will you please behave!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Will you please explain?" "No".

The New Yorker

Will you please forgive me?

The New Yorker

Will you please sell him my cigarettes".

The New Yorker

"Will you please stop saying that word?

The New Yorker

Now cough, will you please sir?

The Guardian - Music

Will you please talk a little louder?

The New Yorker

Will you please tell me?

Yale University

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

The New York Times

"Will you please hurry it up?" she hissed.

The New Yorker

Will you please not blow it so much.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience. While generally polite, "will you please" can sound passive-aggressive if overused or delivered with a certain tone.

Common error

Avoid using "will you please" excessively in casual conversations with close friends or family, as it can sound overly formal or sarcastic. Opt for simpler, more direct requests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will you please" functions as a polite request or directive. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and used to ask someone to perform an action. Examples show it in diverse contexts, from casual to formal, reinforcing its function as a softener in commands.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will you please" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used for making polite requests. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely applicable across diverse contexts, especially in news media and academic settings. While slightly more formal, its use can enhance communication by softening demands and encouraging cooperation. Consider alternatives like "could you please" or simply "please" for varying degrees of formality. Be mindful of overuse in overly casual environments where it could sound sarcastic. High-quality sources like The New York Times and academic institutions validate its widespread and appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you please

More tentative and polite due to the use of 'could' instead of 'will'.

can you please

Slightly less formal than "will you please", implying ability rather than willingness.

would you kindly

More formal and somewhat old-fashioned, conveying a high degree of politeness.

please

Very direct and can be perceived as less polite depending on intonation and context.

I would appreciate it if you would

A more elaborate and formal request, emphasizing gratitude.

is it possible for you to

Indirect and very polite, focusing on the possibility of fulfilling the request.

I ask that you

Formal and somewhat assertive, suitable for official requests.

I request that you

Very formal and direct, often used in written communication.

do me a favor and

Informal and implies a personal connection or obligation.

be so kind as to

Extremely polite and somewhat archaic.

FAQs

How to use "will you please" in a sentence?

You can use "will you please" to politely ask someone to do something. For example, "Will you please remind me to call my mother tomorrow?"

What can I say instead of "will you please"?

You can use alternatives like "could you please", "would you kindly", or simply "please", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "will you please" considered formal or informal?

"Will you please" is generally considered polite and suitable for most situations. However, in very informal settings, it might sound overly formal. Simpler requests might be preferred in those contexts.

Which is correct, "will you please" or "would you please"?

Both "will you please" and "would you please" are grammatically correct and polite. "Would you please" is often considered slightly more formal and polite than "will you please".