please not do this (please don't do this)

"Please not + verb" (e.g., "please not do that") is normally ungrammatical in English. Native speakers use negative imperatives with do-support or choose alternative polite forms.

Use one of the ready templates below to replace any "please not" phrase quickly.

Quick answer

Replace "please not + verb" with one of these by tone: "Please don't + verb," "Please do not + verb," "Please refrain from + verb-ing," or indirect forms like "Would you please not + verb?"

Casual: "Please don't be late."
Neutral/formal: "Please do not share confidential files."
Very formal: "Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting."

Core explanation (short)

"Please" marks a request; negative imperatives in English normally require do-support (don't) or a different construction. Putting "not" immediately after "please" doesn't form the standard negative.

Wrong pattern: "Please not + verb"
Fast fix: "Please don't + verb" or "Please do not + verb"
Formal alternative: "Please refrain from + verb-ing"

Wrong → Right: "Please not touch the exhibits." → "Please don't touch the exhibits."
Wrong → Right: "Please not be late." → "Please don't be late."
Wrong → Right: "Please not share this password." → "Please do not share this password."

Grammar rules: do-support and alternatives (brief)

Imperatives usually omit auxiliaries, so English uses do-support to make negatives: do + not + base verb → don't + verb. For formal notices, prefer "please do not" or "please refrain from + -ing." Indirect forms ("Would you please not...") soften the request.

Imperative negation: don't + verb (informal/neutral)
Formal: please do not + verb
Rule/notice: please refrain from + verb-ing
Polite indirect: Would you please not + verb?

Spacing and punctuation: spacing isn't the fix

Writing "please not" as two words is already how people type it; spacing doesn't make it grammatical. A comma after "please" can soften tone, but it doesn't allow "please not + verb."

You cannot fix the grammar by adding or removing spaces.
Use a comma to soften: "Please, do not forward this."
Hyphens won't turn "please not" into a valid negation.

Wrong → Right: "Please not reply to all." → "Please don't reply to all."
Wrong → Right: "Please not, respond by Friday." → "Please respond by Friday." or "Please, do not respond after Friday."

Hyphenation and compound forms: don't invent "please-not"

Hyphens join words for compounds or clarity, but "please-not" is nonstandard and confusing. For signs, use concise, standard forms: "No" + gerund (No smoking) or "Please do not" + verb.

Don't hyphenate "please not" into "please-not."
For signs: "No photos" or "Please do not enter."
Hyphens can't change sentence structure or verb negation.

Wrong → Right (sign): "Please-not enter." → "Please do not enter." or "No entry."
Wrong → Right (label): "Please-not take photos." → "Please do not take photos." or "No photography."

Real usage and tone: pick the best alternative

Match phrasing to audience. Contractions suit friends; use "do not" or "refrain from" for formal notices. Indirect forms reduce bluntness when a request is sensitive.

Work: prefer neutral or formal wording; be explicit when rules matter.
School: clear, firm wording works for rules and exam instructions.
Casual: contractions and softer indirect forms are fine with friends.

Work - Wrong → Right: "Please not CC me on routine updates." → "Please don't CC me on routine updates."
Work - Wrong → Right: "Please not forward client emails." → "Please do not forward client emails."
Work - Wrong → Right: "Please not print this document, it's draft." → "Please don't print this document; it's a draft."
School - Wrong → Right: "Please not bring notes into the test." → "Please do not bring notes into the test."
School - Wrong → Right: "Please not leave the exam room early." → "Please don't leave the exam room early."
School - Wrong → Right: "Please not use phones during class." → "Please refrain from using phones during class."
Casual - Wrong → Right: "Please not be mad at me." → "Please don't be mad at me."
Casual - Wrong → Right: "Please not bring your dog here." → "Please don't bring your dog here."
Casual - Wrong → Right: "Please not call after 11pm." → "Would you please not call after 11 p.m.?"

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually clarifies the correct choice.

Rewrite help: quick templates and ready rewrites

Pick a tone, then apply one of these templates: Informal: "Please don't + verb." Neutral: "Please do not + verb." Formal: "Please refrain from + verb-ing." Polite indirect: "Would you please not + verb?" Convert verbs to -ing when using "refrain from."

Original: "Please not send me these reminders." - Rewrites: "Please don't send me these reminders." / "Please do not send me these reminders." / "Please refrain from sending me these reminders."
Original: "Please not share my contact." - Rewrites: "Please don't share my contact." / "Please do not share my contact information." / "Would you please not share my contact details?"
Original: "Please not talk during the presentation." - Rewrites: "Please don't talk during the presentation." / "Please do not talk during the presentation." / "Please refrain from talking during the presentation."
Original: "Please not CC me on that thread." - Rewrites: "Please don't CC me on that thread." / "Please do not CC me on that thread." / "I'd appreciate it if you didn't CC me on that thread."

Examples: realistic corrections you can copy

Use these as ready templates and adapt tone as needed.

Work - Wrong → Right: "Please not post pictures from the workshop." → "Please don't post pictures from the workshop."
School - Wrong → Right: "Please not share exam questions." → "Please do not share exam questions."
Casual - Wrong → Right: "Please not tag me in those photos." → "Please don't tag me in those photos."
Work - Wrong → Right: "Please not bring food into the lab." → "Please do not bring food into the lab."
School - Wrong → Right: "Please not write answers on the board." → "Please don't write answers on the board."
Casual - Wrong → Right: "Please not leave your bag here." → "Please don't leave your bag here."

Memory trick and quick checklist

Mnemonic: "Please + don't = correct." When proofreading, spot the two-word sequence "please not"-it's a reliable flag.

Checklist: 1) Find "please not"; 2) Choose tone (don't / do not / refrain / would you please); 3) Replace and adjust verb (-ing if using "refrain"); 4) Optionally add a comma after "please" to soften tone.
If unsure, use "Please do not"-safe for written and professional contexts.

Usage example: "Please not call me late." → Quick fix: "Please don't call me late."

Similar mistakes (quick fixes)

Writers who write "please not" sometimes misplace "to" or "not" with auxiliaries. Fixes are short and consistent.

Wrong: "Please to not call after 10." →
Right: "Please do not call after 10."
Wrong: "Please not to mention this." →
Right: "Please don't mention this."
Wrong: "Please don't to bring anything." →
Right: "Please don't bring anything."

Wrong → Right: "Please not to discuss this topic." → "Please don't discuss this topic."
Wrong → Right: "Please not to be offended by my feedback." → "Please don't be offended by my feedback."

FAQ

Is "please not do that" correct?

No. Use "Please don't do that," "Please do not do that," or "Would you please not do that?" depending on formality.

Can I ever use "please not" in formal writing?

Avoid it. Use "Please do not" or "Please refrain from" for formal writing or policies.

When should I use "please refrain from"?

Use "Please refrain from + verb-ing" for formal notices, signage, or a neutral, rule-like tone (for example, "Please refrain from smoking").

What's the difference between "please don't" and "Would you please not..."?

"Please don't" is a direct polite command suitable for casual situations. "Would you please not..." is indirect and more deferential, good for sensitive requests.

If I find "please not" in my text, what's the fastest fix?

Replace "please not + verb" with "please don't + verb" for a quick correction. Use "please do not" or "please refrain from" when you need a calmer or more formal tone.

Want a quick check?

Search your draft for "please not"-it's a fast red flag. Replace it with a template from this page or paste the sentence into a grammar tool for contextual suggestions.