Page 441 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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please and thank you requests
We use please to make requests more polite. Could I have some more rice, please? Would you like some help? - Yes, please.
Note that please does not change an order into a request. Compare: Stand over there. (order)
Please stand over there. (more polite order)
Could you stand over there, please? (polite request)
Please do is a rather formal answer to a request for permission.
Do you mind ifI open the window? - Please do. when please is not used
We do not use please to ask people what they have said. I've got a bit of a headache. ~ I beg your pardon?
(NOT ••• JllettSen
We do not use please when we give things to people.
Have you got a pen I could use? - Yes, here you are. (NOT ••• Jllease.)
Please is not used as an answer to Thank you (see below). Thanks a lot. - That's OK. (NOT ••• Please.)
thank you and thanks
Thanks is more informal than thank you. Common expressions: Thank you. (NOT Thal'lks Y6ft.)
Thank you very much.
Thanks very much.
Thanks a lot. (BUT NOT Tltank Y61;t II lot.)
Thank God it's Friday. (NOT Thanks G6d ...)
Indeed (see 273) can be used to strengthen very much.
Thank you very much indeed. (BUT NOT USUALLY Thank ytJft intieetl.) Thank you for I Thanks for can be followed by an -ing form. Possessives are unnecessary and are not used.
Thank you for coming. - Not at alL Thank you for having me. (NOT Thank ytJft for ytJftr ooming.)
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Some people say Cheers to mean Thanks. accepting and refusing
We often use Thank you I Thanks like Yes, please, to accept offers. Would you like some potatoes? - Thank you. '" How many?
To make it clear that one wishes to refuse something, it is normal to say
No, thank you I No, thanks. .
Another cake? '"No, thanks. I've eaten too many already.
Yes, thanks is most often used to confirm that things are all right. Have you got enough potatoes? - Yes, thanks.
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