Pleas vs. Please: What's the Difference?

The words pleas and please may sound similar, but they serve different functions in the English language. Pleas is the plural form of 'plea,' which refers to a request made in a serious and urgent manner, often used in legal contexts. 'Please,' on the other hand, is a verb that means to cause delight or satisfaction, and is also used as a polite addition to requests or commands.

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Pleas vs. Please

How do you use the word pleas in a sentence?

The word pleas is used to refer to multiple requests or appeals, particularly those that express an urgent need or are submitted to a court of law. When someone makes 'pleas,' they are often seeking help, mercy, or a form of redress.
Examples of pleas in a sentence
  • The defendant's pleas for leniency were taken into consideration by the judge.
  • Amidst the chaos, her pleas for help were drowned out by the noise.
  • The charity campaign responded to the urgent pleas of the disaster-stricken community.

How do you use the word please in a sentence?

One can use the word please as a verb to express the act of giving pleasure or satisfaction. It also serves as a polite addition to requests and commands, suggesting that something is desired but not demanded.
Examples of please in a sentence
  • Please take your shoes off before entering the house.
  • He managed to please the crowd with his dynamic performance.
  • I would be pleased to join you for dinner this evening.

Pleas and please definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation

Pleas definition:
Pleas are multiple instances of a 'plea,' which is a noun representing a request made in a serious and urgent tone, often as part of a legal appeal.

Pleas parts of speech:
  • Noun (plural): The organization heard the community's pleas for assistance.

Pleas pronunciation:
Pleas is pronounced as /pliːz/, rhyming with 'leaves'.

Please definition:
Please is primarily used as a verb meaning to cause enjoyment or satisfaction. As a polite expression, it softens requests or commands.

Please parts of speech:
  • Verb: His storytelling skills never fail to please the children.
  • Interjection: Please, could you pass the salt?

Please pronunciation:
Please is pronounced as /pliːz/, identical to 'pleas'.

Pleas vs. please in a nutshell

In summary, pleas are serious requests or appeals, often used in a legal context, while please refers to giving pleasure and is also commonly used to politely make requests. Despite their similar pronunciation, their meanings and uses are quite distinct; pleas functions as a plural noun, and please can be a verb or a polite interjection. Understanding the context in which each word is used can help avoid confusion between the two.

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