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 #2 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 20:37 pm the usage of "please" |
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Hi Jaysee
1.
In American English, we tend to use 'please' at the beginning of a polite command (imperative form):
- Please be on time.
- Please let me know when the shipment arrives.
2.
In a request (interrogative form), we usually put 'please' in mid-sentence or at the end of the sentence:
- Could I speak with John Smith, please?
- Would you please let me know when the shipment arrives?
In my opinion, putting 'please' at the beginning of the interrogative sentences above would not be very typical in American English -- not typical for adult speakers. That would tend to sound a bit childish (e.g. "Please, Mommy, please could I have some more?")
However, this might be different in British English. Maybe someone from the UK will offer an opinion on this.
.
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Yankee
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| #3 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 21:34 pm the usage of "please" |
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It's also good English in requests to put "please" after the subject:
"Could you please help me with this?"
"May I please have your name?"
Those are the same as:
"Could you help me with this, please?"
"May I have your name, please?"
You have at least three correct choices as to where to put "please" in a sentence. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #4 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 21:47 pm the usage of "please" |
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| thanks a lot! |
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Jaysee
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| #5 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 21:52 pm the usage of "please" |
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Hi Jamie,
Wouldn't you say that putting 'please' in the end sounds a bit less demanding (particularly in spoken language)?
Imagine a mother saying
Could you tidy up your room, please?
vs
Could you please tidy up your room?
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 Ralf
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| #6 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 21:59 pm the usage of "please" |
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| I think it all depends on the person's tone of voice, Ralf. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #7 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 22:22 pm the usage of "please" |
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| BTW, could we take the origin of 'please' as from the phrase 'pray thee'? |
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Haihao
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| #8 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 22:28 pm the usage of "please" |
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| Haihao wrote: |
| BTW, could we take the origin of 'please' as from the phrase 'pray thee'? |
No. It's from the Old French word plaisir, which itself comes from the Latin word placere. They both mean "to please". The equivalent word is used in various ways in other languages. |
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Jamie (K)
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| #9 (permalink) Sat Jun 28, 2008 22:53 pm the usage of "please" |
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| I see. Thank you, Jamie. |
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Haihao
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