Meaning
‘Would you please‘ is a polite expression used to express a request, wish, or demand.
Today’s Sentences
- Would you please be quiet?
- Would you please close the door?
- Would you please grab my car keys?
- Would you please turn down the volume?
- Would you please hold my place in line?
- Writer’s Note
01
Would you please be quiet?
Situation 1
Would you please be quiet?
Excuse me?
I’ve been sitting in this coffee shop listening to you talk on the phone for the past 20 minutes.
I had no idea I was that loud.
I apologize.
Situation 2
Would you please be quiet?
Why?
This is a restricted noise area.
We’re trying to protect the concentration of those using the library.
I’ll keep my voice down.
02
Would you please close the door?
Situation 1
Get some sleep.
Good night.
Would you please close the door?
Sure thing.
Thanks, good night.
Situation 2
Professor, I need to talk about something with you.
Come in.
Would you please close the door?
Sure.
I would like to appeal my grade with you.
Do you have the necessary forms for the appeal?
03
Would you please grab my car keys?
Situation 1
I’m leaving for work now.
Ok.
See you at dinner.
Oh no, would you please grab my car keys?
Here, you left them on the dresser.
Situation 2
Would you please grab my car keys?
Sure.
Where are they?
They should be on the island in the kitchen.
Found them!
04
Would you please turn down the volume?
Situation 1
Would you please turn down the volume?
I’m sorry.
Was the music too loud?
Yes, I have to get up early tomorrow.
I apologize.
We’re having a party here but I’ll keep the music to a minimum.
Situation 2
Would you please turn down the volume?
Is the TV bothering you?
I’m trying to study for my exam.
Sorry about that.
I’ll turn it down.
05
Would you please hold my place in line?
Situation 1
Excuse me, would you please hold my place in line?
Unfortunately, no I can’t.
Why not?
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to the others waiting in line.
Situation 2
I’m sorry to ask but would you please hold my place in line?
Sure.
Will you be long?
No, not at all.
I just need to take my daughter to the restroom.
Don’t worry.
I’ll keep your place.
Writer’s Note
Kind of vs. Sort of
‘Sort of’ and ’kind of’ are nearly always interchangeable.
You use kind of/sort of when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way.
Since we’ve covered ‘kind of’ above, here are some ‘sort of’ examples.
Q. Are you feeling better?
A. Sort of.
Q. We’ve got some new types that have come in. How about these ones?
A. That’s the sort of tent I was looking for.
Q. What do you do when you’re at home?
A. I enjoy listening to music, drawing, that sort of thing.
Q. Is something wrong with the car?
A. Tire problems, squeaking brakes, these sorts of things.
