Today we are going to get started with the most basic of words; that dear 600-year-old word ‘please’. Everyone knows what it means and most try to use it. In the business world when one aims to be polite it is essential to get it right not only to give a respectable image of yourself but also the company you represent. So, no problems so far then until you start asking the question: where we should put this little devil in a question?

In the beginning?Please could you send us a pdf copy of the due diligence?

Maybe after the subject ‘you’? Could youpleasesend us a pdf copy of the due diligence?

And finally, how about? Could you send us a pdf copy of the due diligenceplease?

Most Swedes like to place the word ‘please’ in the middle. Others like to place it at the beginning just to get it out of the way. In fact, the correct place is at the end and with a question starting with could it should be met with a rising intonation in order to reinforce its politeness.

However, be warned! ‘Please’ at the beginning, implies an order which may not be what you want to express in a meeting or a negotiation. Winston Churchill regularly used it for this purpose with considerable dramatic effect as with the classic quote with its undertones of irony, ‘Pleasebe good enough to put your conclusions and recommendations on one sheet of paper in the very beginning of your report, so I can even consider reading it.’. ‘Please’, could also be placed at the beginning of a phrase if you are feeling, well, rather desperate. Naturally, when Oscar Wilde exclaimed, ’Pleasedon’t shoot the pianist, he’s doing his best,’ he was probably awfully concerned about getting his button hole stained.

On the other hand, ‘please’ after the subject (i.e. Could youplease send us a copy of the due diligence?) implies irritation which is a definite no-no in professional English and over the phone it sounds particularly vulgar. Probably the American actress and comedian, Lily Tomlin, was greatly irritated and even bemused when she remarked, ‘If love is the answer, could youpleaserephrase the question?’. Therefore, ‘please’ after the subject may also be interpreted as a little insincere at the best of times and even disconsolate depending on the intonation used. So be warned keep your pleases at the end if you wish to make the best impression with your professional business English request. Trust me, it will be appreciated. Unless you are desperate and irritated that is.

© Andrew Davies, Communicoach 2010