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We are having an argument, about the correctness of saying "Please use English".

  • A: Is it correct?
  • B: Is "Please use the English language" more correct?
  • C: Is the "Please use English" acceptable as a way to shorten the expression? (it is for a title, so space is scarce)

One side argues that "Please use English" would incite people to for instance take British persons and make them cook Fish & Chips.

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    I'd not use 'use'. Rather speak/write/type in English. No ambiguity that way!
    – Maulik V
    Sep 29, 2015 at 6:05
  • @MaulikV I wrote the question that way, but it actually includes "English Usage" vs. "English Language Usage", for which your tip unfortunately does not work.
    – Nicolas Raoul
    Sep 29, 2015 at 6:08
  • It makes no difference whether you say "Pease use English/the English language. In the sentence English means English Language, not English people. The English refer to the people of Britain.
    – Khan
    Sep 29, 2015 at 8:56
  • @Khan: Thanks for the explanation! Would you mind making your comment an answer?
    – Nicolas Raoul
    Sep 30, 2015 at 2:49

1 Answer 1

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Please use English, Please use the English language and In English please are all equivalent in meaning.

Depending on usage, English implies the language, not the people, so, Please use English would suffice. The English are the people:

Fish and chips is a favourite of the English, as well as the Welsh and the Scots.

Please use the English language is correct, but bulky, as if spoken by or spoken to a non-native English speaker.

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