Asking politely

[si_non_confectus]

Hello!
I am a student and don't exactly know a good much more about colloquial English than I'd like to. So I was just wondering if there is any notional difference between saying "Please, slow down (I can't catch you)" and "Slow down, will you (I can't catch you)". Is there any shades of meaning? Or does any of them sound rude?
Thank you in advance!

 

[bhaisahab]

There is no difference in meaning but the one with "please" is much more polite.

 

[DavidIR]

Not a teacher.

Usin "please" is always polite ;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

It's also a good idea to spell "using" correctly and to end the sentence with a full stop/period.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

Please slow down.

(No comma needed there.)

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

Slow down, will you!

Because of the way it's likely to be said, it deserves an exclamation mark.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

I am an ESL student, and I would like to know more about colloquial English.

That, of course, is most of it.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

Are there any shades of meaning?

Say:

Do either of them sound rude?

 

[Rover_KE]

Using "please" is always polite. ;-)

Welcome to the forum, David. Please read the forum rules and guidelines — especially this:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly in your post.

 

[Tarheel]

While it is considered the polite thing to do to say "please" when making a request, you can be polite without using "please". On the other hand, you can be impolite while using it.

Polite:

Would you help me with this?

Impolite:

Please help me with this, you SOB!