I hear this an increasing amount at work (big professional services co in London) exclusively from younger folk.
eg “Please may you send me the documents you need printing.” or “Please may you check the final point with Dan?” (Might or might not end with a question mark).
This is wrong isn’t it?! I always thought “Please may I…” was a polite way to ask for permission to do something.
But you can’t ask another person for permission that they do something.
It should be “Please can/could/would you….” shouldn’t it? (Better pedants than me will I’m sure be along soon to confirm which of those is correct and when).
I find it really grating!
“Please may you…?”
PopcornPoppingInAPan · 11/03/2024 12:17
SpringSprungALeak · 11/03/2024 12:20
I'd have to say something!
Chelsea26 · 11/03/2024 12:46
Grates on me too.
I think would is grammatically correct.
Please would you? - Will you do it?
Please can you? - Are you capable of doing it?
Please may you? - Are you allowed to do it? But it doesn’t work at all!
I remember having a teacher in school who, if asked, “Can I go to the toilet?” Would reply, “I certainly hope so!”
Chewbecca · 12/03/2024 15:32
I wonder if your teacher was my father!
In response to "can I go to the toilet please sir", he would always answer "well, I am sure you can go to the toilet but I think what you need to know is whether you may go to the toilet or not".
Chelsea26 · 11/03/2024 12:46
Grates on me too.
I think would is grammatically correct.
Please would you? - Will you do it?
Please can you? - Are you capable of doing it?
Please may you? - Are you allowed to do it? But it doesn’t work at all!
I remember having a teacher in school who, if asked, “Can I go to the toilet?” Would reply, “I certainly hope so!”
alwayslemons · 19/04/2024 14:28
It’s definitely a new thing… I first heard it when a young woman I was working with was directing people for an event. She obviously believed it to be correct and polite and it really bothered me, but I thought it was just her. Now it’s everywhere and used by people quite high up at work in professional emails. Drives me nuts. Where did they get this from?!
BlueTongueSkink · 19/04/2024 15:54
I've been seeing this at work recently too, also from younger colleagues. Agree they think it's more polite than 'please can you....'
I always want to reply and correct them (but haven't yet!)
Chelsea26 · 11/03/2024 12:46
Grates on me too.
I think would is grammatically correct.
Please would you? - Will you do it?
Please can you? - Are you capable of doing it?
Please may you? - Are you allowed to do it? But it doesn’t work at all!
I remember having a teacher in school who, if asked, “Can I go to the toilet?” Would reply, “I certainly hope so!”
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