Please put the toys away before dinner.

Meaning: This sentence is telling someone to clean up their toys before they can eat dinner.

Choice of Words: To put something means to place it somewhere. Away means to a place where it is not in the way. Toys are objects that children play with. Dinner is the main meal of the day.

Alternative Expressions

Can you tidy up the toys before we eat?

Meaning: This means to ask someone if they are able to make the toys neat and organized before the main meal of the day. It's like saying, Are you able to make the toys neat and organized before we eat dinner?

Choice of Words: Can is a verb that asks if someone is able to do something. You is the person being asked to do something. Tidy up means to make something neat and organized. Toys are things that are played with. Before means to do something earlier than something else. We eat is the main meal of the day that is usually eaten in the evening. When you put them together, "Can you tidy up the toys before we eat?" is a polite request asking someone if they are able to make the toys neat and organized before the main meal of the day.

Would you mind putting the toys in their place?

Meaning: This means to ask someone if they are willing to place the toys where they belong. It's like saying, Are you willing to place the toys where they belong?

Choice of Words: Would is a verb that asks if someone is willing to do something. You is the person being asked to do something. Mind means to care about something. Putting means to place something somewhere. Toys are things that are played with. In their place means to put something where it belongs. When you put them together, "Would you mind putting the toys in their place?" is a polite request asking someone if they are willing to place the toys where they belong.

Related Expressions