please

pleaseinterjection

Please makes a request polite, accepts an offer, or asks for something with strong feeling.

1. polite requestused to make a request, an order, or a question more polite

   Please goes at the start of a request or at the end, after a comma: Please wait here. Wait here, please. In a question it usually comes at the end: Could you wait, please? In the middle, could you please wait, it can sound firmer. Please on its own, with a rising tone, repeats a request: Please?

   • Please close the window.
   • Could you pass the salt, please?
   • Two tickets, please.
   • Would you please stop that noise? (firm)

   Collocations

   phrase please don't, please note

2. accepting an offerused to accept an offer politely, usually after yes

   Yes, please accepts; no, thank you refuses. A plain yes or no can sound abrupt when someone offers you something.

   • "Would you like some tea?" "Yes, please."
   • Coffee? Please!
   • "Shall I open a window?" "Please, it's very warm in here."

   Collocations

   phrase yes, please, please do

   Compare thank you (no, thank you refuses an offer)

3. beggingused with strong feeling to push a request much harder, often when nothing else has worked

   Here please is stressed and often repeated. It can also stand alone to ask someone to stop: Please! Not now.

   • Please! Let me explain before you go.
   • Please, please can we stay a little longer?
   • Please, I'm begging you, don't do this.

   1. aused to show that you do not believe or do not accept what someone has said

      Usually oh, please, or please on its own with a falling tone.

      informaldismissive

      • Oh, please! You did not do all that work by yourself.
      • He said he was too busy. Please. He was watching TV all day.