punctuation - In what cases should I use a comma after "please"?


As far as I can see from different texts, there seems to be no strict rule about putting comma after "Please" when it is used as an introduction to a request. Am I right?


In what cases using comma after "please" would be correct or even compulsory? What if "please" is put in the end of such sentence?



Answer



It is simply a matter of emphasis, which is why you can see it written both ways. For instance, if you had a visitor at your house, who was going to leave the house after you had left it, you might say:



Please don't forget to lock the door when you leave.



However, if this particular person had a habit of leaving the door unlocked, you would want to emphasize the "please", and could do it like so:



Please, don't forget to lock the door when you leave.



Which, when said out loud, has a louder "please" than the first example.


Basically, it emphasizes the importance of the request.


Also, if the "please" is at the end of a sentence, there must always be a comma, e.g.:



Don't forget to lock the door, please.



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