[Grammar] KINDLY and PLEASE in imperative sentences.

[The apprentice]

Dear teachers and members:


I have read that PLEASE can be replaced by KINDLY in a sentence, but I would like to know if in the following sentences and in imperative sentences it is possible.

1°) Help me, please.

2°) Please, help me.

Can the above sentences be replaced them by these ones?

a) Help me, kindly.

b) Kindly, help me.

It seems to me that KINDLY cannot be replaced by PLEASE in these two sentences as well as in these cases.


I ask for your help and assistance in this confusion.

 

[Barb_D]

This may be personal, or it may be an American preference that is shared by my countrymen, but I don't like "Kindly" in place of "Please."

Please refrain from talking during the performance.
Please do not use flash photography in the museum.

When you replace these with "Kindly" it sound patronizing to me. You could have said "No talking!" or "No flash photography!" with the same meaning and whether I am "kind" as I obey your command is irrelevant.

That said, I have never seen "kindly" used in this type of imperative anywhere but before the verb. Kindly refrain, kindly use, kindly help, kindly etc.

Kindly help us keep the area clean by properly disposing of your trash.
NOT Help us keep the area clean by properly disposing of your trash kindly.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Kindly" stands out to me as a word that is used largely by non-native speakers.

 

[Tdol]

When you replace these with "Kindly" it sound patronizing to me.

It can be used in a sarcastic or patronising way in BrE, but it doesn't have to be.

 

[The apprentice]

Thanks Barb-D for answering:

As you said: I have never seen KINDLY before in that sort of imperative sentence.