English: Usage Of 'Please' And 'Thank You'

1. Usage of 'Please' and 'Thank You':

• "Please" and "thank you" are polite ways of greeting and responding.
• "Please" is used to make a request, ask a question, or respond to a question in a more polite manner.
• It is also used to beg or plea for something. "Thank you" is used to respond to something in a more polite manner.

a. Please: Requests and Questions:

• "Please" is used to make a request or ask a question in a more polite manner.
• "Please" is usually placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
• If "please" is placed at the end of the end of a sentence, put a comma before the word "please".

When using the verbs can/could/would, "please" can be placed in the middle of a sentence. This makes the tone of the request stronger:

• Please call your parents right away.
• Call you parents right away, please.
• Could you please call your parents right away?
• Please hold the door.
• Hold the door, please.
• Could you please hold the door?
• Please pass the salt and pepper.
• Can you pass the salt and pepper, please?
• Can you please pass the salt and pepper?
• Please repeat that.
• Repeat that, please.
• Could you please repeat that?

b. Please: Responding to Questions:

• "Please" is used to answer a question or respond to an action in a more polite manner. When answering with "please", it is placed at the end of the response.

A comma is placed before the word "please":

• Would you like something to drink?
  Yes, please.
• What would you like to drink?
  Water, please.
• Would you like to watch some TV?
  Yes, please.
• What would you like to watch?
  The football game, please.

c. Please: Encouraging or Begging:

• "Please" is used to strongly state or ask for something.
• "Please" is also used to beg for something.
• "Please" is usually placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence.

If "please" is placed at the end of the end of a sentence, put a comma before the word "please".

• Please help me!
• Help me, please!
• Please stop!
• Stop, please!
• Please don't do that.
• Don't do that, please.
• Please do.
• Please believe me.

2. Thank you: Different Degrees

• "Thank you" is used to respond to something in a more polite manner.
• There are different degrees of "thank you".
• "Thanks" is an informal form of "thank you".
• Words can also be added to "thank you" to make the response stronger such as "Thank you very much."

i. Informal:

Person A: I like your dress.

Person B: Thanks.

ii. Formal:

Person A: I bought the tickets for you.

Person B: Thank you.

iii. Stronger:

Person A: Your soup is delicious.

Person B: Thank you very much.

a. Thank you: Responding to Questions

"Thank you" is used to respond to a question in a polite manner. Yes and No questions can be answered with "Yes, thank you". "No, thank you". If you respond with just "thank you", you are accepting the offer.

i. Yes:

Person A: Would you like a glass of water?

Person B: Yes, thank you.

ii. Yes

Person A: Would you like a ride?    

Person B: Thank you.

iii. No:

Person A: Do you want another slice of cake?    

Person B: No, thank you.    

b. Thank You: Showing Gratitude or Appreciation:

"Thank you" is used to show gratitude or appreciation.

Person A: I will call you a cab.

Person B: Thank you.

Thank you with "-ing" Verbs or Nouns

"Thank you" can be used with "-ing" verbs or nouns. The word "for" is used after "thank you" and before the "-ing" verb or noun. "Thank you + for + gerund/noun".

• Thank you for helping me with my homework.
• Thanks for your help.
• Thanks for taking me home.
• Thank you for the ride.
• Thank you for listening to my story.
• Thank you for your time today.