A1 Verb Moods 3 min read Easy

Polite Commands (Using Please)

A tiny 'please' transforms demands into polite, respectful requests.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Add 'please' to any command to turn a direct order into a polite request instantly.

  • Put 'please' at the start: 'Please sit down.' (No comma needed)
  • Put 'please' at the end: 'Sit down, please.' (Use a comma before it)
  • For negatives, use 'Please don't' + verb: 'Please don't smoke here.'
🙏 + Verb + Object OR Verb + Object + , + 🙏

Overview

English has sentences called commands.
These are words like Stop. or Listen..
They tell people what to do.
Commands are clear but can sound rude.
You want to be polite to others.
The word please is very helpful.
It makes your words kind.
It shows you respect the other person.
Using please is important for good English.
It shows you are asking for help.
You are not just giving orders.
This helps you make friends.

How This Grammar Works

Please changes an order into a nice request.
It shows you are asking for help.
Look at Give me the menu..
Now look at Please give me the menu..
The second one is much better.
It gives the other person a choice.
English speakers use please every day.
You can put please in two places.
Put it at the start or the end.
Both ways are very good.
They both sound very polite.

Formation Pattern

1
You can put please in two spots.
2
The rules are very easy to learn.
3
1. Please at the Beginning of the Command
4
Put please first to be polite right away.
5
This is very common.
6
Do not use a comma after please here.
7
Structure for Positive Commands:
8
Please + [Verb] + [Rest of Sentence].
9
Example: Please sit down. (A nice way to offer a chair.)
10
Example: Please open the door. (A polite way to ask for help.)
11
Example: Please wait here. (A kind way to ask someone to stay.)
12
Structure for Negative Commands:
13
For "no" sentences, put please before don't.
14
Please + Don't + [Verb] + [Rest of Sentence].
15
Example: Please don't touch that. (A soft way to say "no.")
16
Example: Please don't worry. (A kind way to help a friend.)
17
Example: Please don't be late. (A nice reminder about time.)
18
2. Please at the End of the Command
19
You can also put please at the end.
20
In writing, use a comma (,) before please.
21
This shows a small pause when you speak.
22
Structure for Positive Commands:
23
[Verb] + [Rest of Sentence] + , please.
24
Example: Come in, please. (A warm welcome to your home.)
25
Example: Close the window, please. (A polite request for help.)
26
Example: Speak more slowly, please. (A great way to ask for help.)
27
Structure for Negative Commands:
28
Put please after the don't part.
29
Use a comma before it.
30
Don't + [Verb] + [Rest of Sentence] + , please.
31
Example: Don't leave yet, please. (A nice way to ask a friend to stay.)
32
Example: Don't make noise, please. (A polite way to ask for quiet.)
33
Example: Don't forget your keys, please. (A helpful and kind reminder.)
34
Summary of Formation Patterns:
35
| Placement | Positive Sentence | Example | Negative Sentence | Example |
36
| :---------- | :-------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------- |
37
| Start | Please + Verb | Please come here. | Please + Don't + Verb | Please don't wait. |
38
| End | Verb + , please | Come here, please. | Don't + Verb + , please | Don't wait, please. |
39
Both ways are correct.
40
Pick the one you like best.
41
The most important thing is to be polite.

When To Use It

Use please often in your daily life.
It is always a good idea to use it.
It makes your English sound very natural.
Please shows you are a polite person.
Use it when you ask for things.
Use it at work and with friends.
It helps people feel happy to help you.

Structure of Polite Commands

Type Formula Example
Affirmative (Start)
Please + Base Verb
Please listen.
Affirmative (End)
Base Verb + , please
Listen, please.
Negative (Start)
Please don't + Base Verb
Please don't cry.
Negative (End)
Don't + Base Verb + , please
Don't cry, please.
With Object
Please + Verb + Object
Please drink water.
With Adverb
Please + Verb + Adverb
Please walk slowly.

Informal Contractions

Full Form Short Form Context
Please
Pls
Texting/Chat
Please
Plz
Very informal chat
Do not please
Don't please
Spoken English
Please do not
Please don't
Standard spoken

Meanings

The use of the word 'please' combined with the imperative (base) form of a verb to make a request or instruction sound respectful rather than bossy.

1

Direct Requests

Asking someone to perform an action for you in a social or professional setting.

“Please pass the salt.”

“Help me with this bag, please.”

2

Instructions/Directions

Giving guidance or steps to follow while maintaining a helpful tone.

“Please turn left at the light.”

“Read the instructions, please.”

3

Offers and Invitations

Encouraging someone to do something for their own benefit or enjoyment.

“Please have some cake!”

“Come in, please.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Polite Commands (Using Please)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Please + Verb
Please stand up.
Affirmative
Verb + , please
Stand up, please.
Negative
Please don't + Verb
Please don't run.
Negative
Don't + Verb + , please
Don't run, please.
Offer
Please + Verb
Please have a cookie.
Direction
Please + Verb + Direction
Please turn right.
Instruction
Please + Verb + Object
Please sign here.
Short Answer
Yes, please / No, please
Would you like tea? Yes, please.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Please wait a moment.

Please wait a moment. (Customer service vs Friends)

Neutral
Please wait.

Please wait. (Customer service vs Friends)

Informal
Wait, please.

Wait, please. (Customer service vs Friends)

Slang
Hold on a sec, plz.

Hold on a sec, plz. (Customer service vs Friends)

The Power of 'Please'

Polite Command

Position

  • Start Please go.
  • End Go, please.

Tone

  • Kind Soft voice
  • Formal Professional

Types

  • Request Help me
  • Offer Eat this

Politeness Scale

Direct (Rude)
Sit! Too strong
Polite (Standard)
Please sit. Perfect
Very Polite
Could you sit? Formal

Where to put 'Please'?

1

Is it the start?

YES
No comma: Please help.
NO
Go to end
2

Is it the end?

YES
Use comma: Help, please.
NO
Use 'don't' for negative

Common Polite Verbs

👋

Social

  • • Come in
  • • Sit down
  • • Wait
☕

Service

  • • Give me
  • • Take this
  • • Help
🏃

Action

  • • Stop
  • • Look
  • • Listen
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Examples by Level

1

Please sit down.

2

Stop, please.

3

Please don't go.

4

Please help me.

1

Please read the book.

2

Don't smoke here, please.

3

Please call me at 5:00.

4

Please wait for the bus.

1

Please check your email for the link.

2

Don't please tell him yet.

3

Please make sure the door is locked.

4

Sign the document, please.

1

Please refrain from using mobile phones.

2

Please note that the office is closed.

3

Do come in, please.

4

Please accept our apologies.

1

Please find attached the requested files.

2

Please be advised of the upcoming changes.

3

Just listen to me for a second, please!

4

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

1

Please be so good as to wait in the foyer.

2

Would everyone please take their seats?

3

Please, let us not dwell on the past.

4

Kindly leave the premises, please.

Easily Confused

Polite Commands (Using Please) vs Imperative vs. Present Simple

Learners sometimes add 's' to the verb (e.g., 'Please helps me').

Polite Commands (Using Please) vs Please vs. Thank You

Some learners use 'please' when receiving something.

Polite Commands (Using Please) vs Please vs. Kindly

Learners think they are exactly the same.

Common Mistakes

✗

Please to sit down.

✓

Please sit down.

Do not use 'to' after please.
✗

You please help me.

✓

Please help me.

We usually drop the 'you' in commands.
✗

Help me please.

✓

Help me, please.

Missing comma in writing.
✗

Please not run.

✓

Please don't run.

Use 'don't' for negative commands.
✗

Please don't to smoke.

✓

Please don't smoke.

Negative commands also use the base verb without 'to'.
✗

Please, sit down.

✓

Please sit down.

No comma is needed when 'please' is at the start.
✗

Please you could help me?

✓

Could you please help me?

Mixing a command with a question structure.
✗

Please be quiet!

✓

Please, be quiet.

Using 'please' with an aggressive tone can sound sarcastic.

Sentence Patterns

Please ___ the ___.

___ the ___, please.

Please don't ___.

Please ___ me ___.

Real World Usage

Ordering Coffee constant

A latte, please.

Asking for Directions very common

Please show me on the map.

In a Taxi common

Stop here, please.

Job Interview occasional

Please tell us about your experience.

Texting a Friend very common

Call me later pls.

Classroom constant

Please open your books to page 10.

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💡

The Comma Rule

Always use a comma before 'please' if it's at the end of a sentence. It helps the reader see the pause.
⚠️

Don't Overuse 'You'

Saying 'You please sit' sounds like you are pointing a finger. Just say 'Please sit' to be more natural.
🎯

Intonation Matters

A rising tone on 'please' at the end of a sentence makes you sound much friendlier and less like you are giving an order.
💬

The Magic Word

In English-speaking cultures, 'please' is not optional. Even if you are the boss, using 'please' gets better results from your team.

Smart Tips

Put 'please' at the start of the sentence to make your instructions clear and professional.

Send me the file, please. → Please send me the file.

Add 'just' before 'please' to sound even softer.

Please wait. → Just wait a moment, please.

You don't even need a verb! Just say the item + 'please'.

Give me water please. → Water, please.

Use a rising intonation at the end of the sentence.

Come here, please. (flat tone) → Come here, please? (rising tone)

Pronunciation

Help me, PLEAse? (rising)

The 'Please' Rise

When 'please' is at the end, your voice should go up slightly to sound friendly.

plz-SIT-down

The 'Please' Start

When 'please' is at the start, it is usually unstressed and quick.

Friendly Request

Please come in! ↗

Conveys warmth and welcome.

Firm Instruction

Please stop. ↘

Conveys authority and seriousness.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

P-L-E-A-S-E: Polite Language Eases All Social Events.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant, soft pillow landing on a sharp, pointy command. The pillow is the word 'please' making the sharp command soft and comfortable.

Rhyme

Start with please or end with please, it puts the listener's mind at ease.

Story

A king once ordered 'Bring me water!' and no one moved. A wise man whispered, 'Add the magic word.' The king said 'Please bring me water,' and ten people ran to help him.

Word Web

PleaseDon'tHelpGiveWaitComeStopListen

Challenge

Go to a cafe or shop today and use 'please' at least three times when ordering or asking for something.

Cultural Notes

British speakers use 'please' very frequently. Omitting it can be seen as a major social error or even a sign of anger.

While still essential, Americans might replace 'Please + Verb' with 'Can I get a...' in service situations, which is also considered polite.

In international business emails, 'Please find attached' is a standard phrase that everyone expects to see.

The word 'please' is a shortened form of the Old French 'plaisir' and the Latin 'placere' (to please).

Conversation Starters

“

Please tell me about your favorite food.

“

Please give me directions to the nearest park.

“

Please explain why you want to learn English.

“

Please summarize the last movie you watched.

Journal Prompts

Write 5 polite requests you would say to a waiter at a restaurant.
Imagine you are a teacher. Write 5 instructions for your students using 'please'.
Write a short email to a colleague asking for help with a project.
Describe a time someone was rude to you. How could they have used 'please' to be nicer?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choose the most polite and correct sentence. Multiple Choice

You want someone to open the window.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please open the window.
We use 'Please + Base Verb' for a polite command.
Fill in the missing word.

___ don't walk on the grass.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
We use 'Please don't' for negative polite commands.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sit down please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Missing a comma
When 'please' is at the end, it needs a comma before it: 'Sit down, please.'
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: please help me
The standard order is Please + Verb + Object.
Translate to English. Translation

Por favor, no fumes.

Answer starts with: Ple...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please don't smoke.
'Please don't' is the correct negative form.
Match the command to the polite version. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please stop.
Adding please makes any command polite.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: I am lost. B: ___ look at this map.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
B is offering help politely.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

You must change the verb when using 'please'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The verb always stays in its base form.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the most polite and correct sentence. Multiple Choice

You want someone to open the window.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please open the window.
We use 'Please + Base Verb' for a polite command.
Fill in the missing word.

___ don't walk on the grass.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
We use 'Please don't' for negative polite commands.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Sit down please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Missing a comma
When 'please' is at the end, it needs a comma before it: 'Sit down, please.'
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

help / please / me

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: please help me
The standard order is Please + Verb + Object.
Translate to English. Translation

Por favor, no fumes.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please don't smoke.
'Please don't' is the correct negative form.
Match the command to the polite version. Match Pairs

Match them!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please stop.
Adding please makes any command polite.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: I am lost. B: ___ look at this map.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
B is offering help politely.
Is this rule true or false? True False Rule

You must change the verb when using 'please'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
The verb always stays in its base form.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choose the correct word to make the request polite. Fill in the Blank

______ turn off the lights when you leave.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please
Which sentence is a polite request? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please sit down.
Make this command polite in English. Translation

Translate this into a polite English request: 'Close the door.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Please close the door.","Close the door, please."]
Correct the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Speak slower please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Speak slower, please.
Complete the polite negative request. Fill in the Blank

______ make too much noise, please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Don't
Put the words in order to form a polite request. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pass the water, please.
Match the direct command with its polite version. Match Pairs

Match the commands:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Make this command polite in English. Translation

Translate this into a polite English request: 'Do not enter.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Please do not enter.","Do not enter, please."]
Identify and correct the most polite form. Error Correction

Which sentence is the most polite for asking someone to wait?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Could you please wait here?
Put the words in order to form a polite question-request. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Could you please help me?
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal request? Multiple Choice

Choose the most appropriate sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Could you please state your full name?

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

Yes! 'Can you please help me?' is very common and even more polite than 'Please help me.'

In this context, no. It is an adverb or a 'politeness marker.' However, 'to please' is a verb meaning 'to make someone happy.'

Only use a comma if 'please' is at the end: 'Wait, please.' No comma if it's at the start: 'Please wait.'

Yes, if someone offers you something. 'Would you like water?' 'Please.' (Meaning 'Yes, please.')

'Kindly' is very formal and often used in written notices. In speech, 'please' is much more natural.

This is a fixed expression. In this specific case, 'to' is used, but it's not a command. It's short for 'I am pleased to meet you.'

Usually, but if you shout it ('PLEASE BE QUIET!'), it can sound angry or impatient.

Yes! Even with friends, using 'please' shows you aren't taking them for granted.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Por favor

English verbs don't change for formal/informal 'you'.

French moderate

S'il vous plaît

English doesn't distinguish between formal and informal 'please'.

German moderate

Bitte

English 'please' has a much narrower meaning than 'bitte'.

Japanese low

Kudasai / Onegaishimasu

Japanese requires changing the verb form; English just adds the word 'please'.

Arabic moderate

Min fadlak

English 'please' is gender-neutral.

Chinese moderate

Qǐng (请)

English 'please' is more flexible in its position.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Negative Commands (Don't...)
Next
Can: Expressing Present Ability

Learn These First

A1 Builds On

Boss Mode: Positive Commands (Imperative)

Overview Use these sentences to tell people what to do. It is for commands, requests, or advice. It is very simple and d...

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