Please RSVP?
Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
CIO, RSVP, redundancies, grammar, word meanings, Business writing, Quiz, Security
Which is correct?
We need to assign seating for the security seminar so _________ by next Friday.
a. RSVP
b. please RSVP
Answer: a
Explanation:
RSVP stands for repondez s’il vous plait, which translates to please reply. So if you include please here, you’re saying “please, please reply.” Unless you’re begging, one please is probably enough.
(Of course, as many administrative staff members know, it sometimes seems like you do have to beg to get a response from employees. But that’s another issue.)
Another tip: It’s okay to say “RSVP by Friday” but don’t say “RSVP in advance.” If we can’t assume that people will respond to invitations before the events in question — rather than after they’re over — it pretty much defeats the purpose.
Grammar Girl offers more examples of annoying redundancies.
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