2. Please sit down.

Please in initial position tends to be more emphatic, less of a formality. Note that it is not usually followed by a comma and there is no pause after it. The sentence is spoken as a single sense group. The same is true of requests with please at the end, in spite of the fact that please is usually separated by a comma.

Although the imperative with please is the most common way of formulating small, routine requests, such as those given above, more polite forms are to be preferred in many cases. The most common of these are:

Will you ..., (please)

Would you ... , (please) — more polite

Would you mind ...ing, (please) — even more polite

Will you open the window, please.

Would you sign this form, please.

Would you mind waiting a moment, please.

Please is used alone only with reference to a request already made.

For example: - Mummy, can I have some more chocolate?

• No. You've had quite enough for today.

• Please.

Here please is pronounced with a very long vowel and a rise-fall-rise.

When accepting offers, please alone is occasionally used, but Yes, please is clearer. (In spite of the comma there is no pause.)

For example: — Would you like another cup of coffee?

• Yes, please.

In other situations, for example, letting someone go first (for instance, through a door) or handing someone something, please is not used. Here the appropriate word(s) depend on the situation.

1. When letting smb. go first — After you.

2. When handing smb. smth. he has asked for — Here you are or:

Here it is or:

Here's the ... You asked for.

3. When offering smb. smth. — Would you like ...?

Have a/some ...

For example: — Would you like an apple?

• Have some chocolate.

4. When acknowledging thanks — Not at all.

Don't mention it.

You're welcome.

Exercises

1. Memorize the dialogues:

*

"Come in, please. This way."

"Thank you."

"Won't you sit down? Make yourself comfortable.”

"Thank you very much."

*

"Won't you come in?"

"Thank you."

"Take a seat and make yourself at home.”

"Thank you."

*

"Have some apple-pie."

"Thank you. It looks delicious."

*

"Have some more fish."

"No, thanks, no more. I've had enough.”

*

"Have another cup of coffee."

"Thank you."

*

"Will you have some fruit?"

"No, thank you."

*

“Shall I fix you a drink?"

“Yes, please."

2. React to the sentences given below using one of the following:

Thank you. Yes, please. No, thank you. No, thanks, no more.

l. Have some fish. 2. Have some more juice. 3. Care for a cup of tea? 4. Have another coffee, will you? 5. Help yourself to the salad. 6. Shall I fix you another drink? Will you have some chicken? 8. Will you have some turkey?

3. What will you say ...

• when you open the door to someone?

• when you show someone into the room?

• when offering someone a seat?

• if you want the visitor to feel comfortable?

• when offering your guest another helping?

• when offering your guests a drink?