“Please Note” vs. “Please Notice” – Difference Explained

Sometimes, we might want to draw someone’s attention to a specific passage in writing. We can use a phrase like “please note” to do this, but “please notice” is also an option. What is the difference between these two? This article will answer that for you.

What Is The Difference Between “Please Note” And “Please Notice”?

“Please note” and “please notice” mean the same thing. We can use both phrases to draw someone’s attention to a specific piece of information. However, “please notice” is much less common, and some people believe it to be too jarring when “please note” works already.

It might help you to see the two phrases in action so you can understand why one is so much better than the other:

• Please note that there won’t be any more lunch breaks while I am in charge.
• Please notice that there will be no more time to get this done once the days end.

As you can see, “please note” works really well because we’re essentially asking somebody to take a “note” of something. This “note” can then be referred to later to remind them since they’ll be able to remember what we said.

However, “Notice” doesn’t come with the same reminder, which isn’t the optimal noun to use. Some people believe it to sound more official, but most native speakers avoid using it because it just doesn’t work for most sentences.

Incidentally, “please notice” also seems a little bit desperate, as if we’re begging somebody to notice something important in our writing, which they might otherwise miss.

What Does “Please Note” Mean?

“Please note” is the formal and correct option. We really should only use this one when we’re trying to refer someone’s attention to a direct passage in our writing.

“Please note” means that we want someone to pay attention to something specific. It could be a key piece of information that we really don’t want them to miss. We use “please note” before delivering the information to ensure everyone understands it.

This helps us to establish that something is important in our writing. For example:

• I won’t be here next week.

This is a good way to show someone that you might be busy. However, if there’s more writing in the overall document, it might be all too easy to miss. And, if someone does miss this, it could cause a lot of logistical problems that are best left avoided.

However, including “please note” changes the importance of the message:

• Please note I won’t be here next week.

This time, we’re ensuring that the reader will notice that we won’t be here next week. The “please note” message puts it as their responsibility to understand that we will be absent.

With “please note,” if they still refuse to read or acknowledge the message, it’s almost entirely on them when they try to get you in trouble for not being around next week.

What Does “Please Notice” Mean?

“Please notice” isn’t common or correct in most cases. However, it still works in some ways synonymously with “Please note.” Most people will assume you’re more of an amateur English speaker if using it, though.

“Please notice” is another way we can draw attention to a specific message in writing. However, it’s not as effective as “please note,” and it is often considered more desperate. It’s not the most appropriate option to use.

The general idea works in the same way, so we could change a message like so:

• I won’t be here to help with that.
• Please notice I won’t be here to help with that.

Both messages mean the same thing, but “please notice” encourages the reader to pay more attention to it. However, most of the issue comes from the desperation of using “please notice,” which makes it sound more like we’re begging them to notice our message.

Examples Of How To Use “Please Note” In A Sentence

Now that we’ve established “please note” as the favorable option, it’s time to go over some examples. These will help you to understand a lot more of the meaning of the phrase, which will be useful to us in the long run.

1. Please note that I do not have the time to help you with these projects today.
2. Please note that I expect you all to have your homework completed by the end of the week.
3. Please note we do not have enough supplies to pass around to all of you anymore.
4. Please note that someone will be around to check on all your systems.
5. Please note that there isn’t time to work through all your messages, but we appreciate the response.
6. Please note someone will be here to talk you through your training.
7. Please note that the office will be closed this weekend for refurbishments.

As you can see, “please note” is a great way to start a new message. It always comes at the start of the sentence to draw people’s attention to it. Once used, it works to show that people should take “note” of the situation to remember it for a later time.

Remember, the “note” portion of the phrase refers to remembering important information. Without taking “note,” we might end up missing some crucial information that could have been useful to us.

Examples Of How To Use “Please Notice” In A Sentence

“Please notice” isn’t nearly as popular. However, it still has its place in English, and we have some examples to show you how you might use it.

1. Please notice that there won’t be anyone to reply to this email for the next three weeks.
2. Please notice that the office will be empty until you are told otherwise.
3. Please notice there will be no further parties or celebrations on work time.
4. Please notice that there have been multiple complaints about this sector.
5. Please notice that I will not be here for the foreseeable future.
6. Please notice that I expect your homework in by the end of the day.
7. Please notice there will be an exam on this topic next week.

“Please notice” is more desperate than “please note.” It works in the same way, but many people avoid using it because it doesn’t draw attention to someone remembering the note or message as well as “please note.”

Is “Please Note” Or “Please Notice” Used The Most?

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “please note” is by far the most popular choice of the two. As we’ve stated, “please note” is more official and correct, which helps us to draw attention to a piece of information.

From the graph, it’s clear that “please notice” is not common at all. Many people avoid using it for all the reasons we’ve provided throughout this article.

Is It Rude To Say “Please Note” And “Please Notice”?

Now that we’ve covered the meanings and usage, it’s time to look at politeness and formality.

There is nothing wrong with saying “please note.” It is sharp and to the point, which is ideal when we want to draw focus to a particular piece of information. However, some people think it’s too sharp and not personal enough.

It’s up to you to determine whether it’s rude or not. We mostly hear the phrase from our seniors in business, which is why it’s acceptable in formal writing. However, if you were to switch the “please note” message around on them, it may not be as well received.

Should I Use A Comma After “Please Note” And “Please Notice”?

If you’ve been paying attention to the examples provided in this article, you might already know the punctuation rules applied to “please note.” Learning to punctuate the phrase isn’t hard at all because there’s not a lot we need to know.

There is no reason to place a comma after “please note” or “please notice.” That’s because the word “that” (or the omitted variation without “that”) is used after the phrase. For this reason, a comma is very necessary.

Here are two different examples to show you what we mean:

• Please note that I won’t be here next week.
• Please note I won’t be here next week.

“That” is always present in the sentence (even in example 2, where it is implied rather than stated). Therefore, no commas are needed after “please note.”

When Should I Use “Please Be Noted”?

“Please be noted” is never correct, and you should not use it. We do not want to use “be noted” in this form because it doesn’t refer to somebody taking a “note” of the information.

• Correct: Please note my absence from this meeting for personal matters.
• Incorrect: Please be noted that I can’t be there today.

What Is The Abbreviation For “Please Note”?

The abbreviation for “please note” is “NB” or “N.B.” It comes from the Latin phrase “nota bene,” which means “note well” or “pay attention to this.” When we use “NB” in a sentence, it means we want people to pay attention to a particular message.

• NB that I won’t be there today.

You may also like: “N.B.” vs. “P.S.” – Difference Explained (Email Usage)

8 Better Alternatives To Use In An Email

Finally, let’s go over some better alternatives you might be able to use:

• Let it be noted that
• Please consider
• Please be advised
• It should be noted
• It should be pointed it
• Please be informed
• Kindly note
• Please be aware

You may also like: 8 Better Ways To Say “Bring To Your Attention”