In everyday communication, especially in professional or formal contexts, the phrase please be noticed occasionally appears in emails, messages, and instructions. While not a standard or frequently used English phrase, it can still be interpreted and understood based on the structure and context in which it is used. To fully understand the meaning of ‘please be noticed,’ it’s important to explore its grammatical components, intended usage, and possible alternatives that native speakers might prefer. This topic provides an in-depth exploration of the phrase, its nuances, and how it might be used or interpreted in real-life English conversations.
Understanding the Structure of Please Be Noticed
Breakdown of the Phrase
The phrase please be noticed is composed of three parts:
- Please a polite request marker.
- Be the verb in its base form, used here as an auxiliary or helping verb.
- Noticed the past participle of the verb notice.
Together, the phrase appears to form a passive construction. In literal terms, please be noticed might suggest that the speaker wants someone or something to be seen, acknowledged, or paid attention to by others. However, this phrase is rarely used this way in natural English, which makes its appearance somewhat confusing to non-native speakers.
Literal vs. Intended Meaning
Literal Interpretation
Literally, please be noticed could be interpreted as a polite request for someone to become the object of attention or awareness. For example, if someone wears a bright outfit and says please be noticed, it could mean they are requesting others to observe or pay attention to them. Yet, in English, people do not typically make such requests in this passive form.
Possible Intended Uses
In most cases where this phrase appears, it is likely being used as a mistranslation or grammatical error. The speaker might be trying to say one of the following:
- Please take note.
- Please note that
- Kindly be advised
- Please be aware
Each of these alternatives conveys a more natural, idiomatic way of requesting someone’s attention to a detail, instruction, or fact in English.
Common Scenarios and Misunderstandings
In Emails or Formal Communication
Non-native English speakers, particularly in business settings, might use please be noticed to draw attention to something important in an email. For example:
Please be noticed that the meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m.
This sentence would be more naturally written as:
Please note that the meeting has been rescheduled to 10 a.m.
Here, please note functions as a conventional and polite way to bring a detail to someone’s attention.
As a Translation Error
Sometimes, the phrase may come from direct translations from other languages where a similar construction is valid. For instance, in some languages, the equivalent of please be noticed might make perfect grammatical sense. However, when directly translated into English, the result sounds awkward or incorrect.
Better Alternatives to Use
Professional and Clear Phrases
Instead of using please be noticed, consider the following well-accepted expressions in English:
- Please note that widely used in emails and memos to emphasize important information.
- Please be advised formal and often used in legal, governmental, or academic contexts.
- Kindly note slightly more formal and courteous.
- Please pay attention to direct, yet slightly more casual.
Each of these alternatives serves the purpose of alerting or informing someone, which is likely the intent behind using please be noticed.
Why Please Be Noticed Is Not Common
Passive Voice and Awkwardness
The passive structure of please be noticed is not only uncommon but also unnatural in English. It implies that someone should be noticed, but does not clearly specify who should notice them or why. In natural English, speakers prefer clarity and active construction, which is why phrases like please note are far more common.
Unclear Subject
The phrase lacks a clear subject. Is the speaker asking the reader to be noticed? Or is it an instruction to others to notice something? This ambiguity contributes to the confusion and makes it less effective as a means of communication.
Examples of Appropriate Usage
Incorrect Usage
- Please be noticed that your application is pending.
- Please be noticed that the report is attached.
Corrected Sentences
- Please note that your application is pending.
- Please be advised that the report is attached.
These corrected forms are much clearer and conform to standard English writing practices, particularly in formal correspondence.
The phrase please be noticed may seem grammatically sound at first glance, but it is rarely used in native English. Its awkwardness stems from its passive voice and lack of clarity. Most likely, those who use this phrase intend to say something like please note or please be advised, which are both widely accepted and effective alternatives in professional writing. To improve clarity and professionalism in English communication, it’s better to choose established expressions that native speakers commonly use. Avoiding ambiguous or unidiomatic phrases like please be noticed ensures your message is understood and respected across cultural and linguistic boundaries.