Wednesday 30 May 2007

AAE Q63: 'please' vs 'beg'

Hello Matt!

Can you explain me please where is the different between 'beg' and 'please'?

Thank you very much!


Hi,

These two verbs cause much confusion for learners of English in the Czech Republic. Here are the definitions of the verbs:

Please (vb)
  • to give enjoyment, pleasure, or satisfaction to: it really pleased him to be at the opera, I am very pleased to be here today.
  • to make glad or contented: the waiter tried hard to please the customer
Beg (vb)
  • to ask for as charity: he begged money while sitting in a doorway
  • to ask sincerely for or of: he begged me for help
Hope this helps

Matt

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