The pattern

"You should" plus a verb gives advice. "You should see a doctor" says it is the right thing to do. "You should try the fish here" recommends. It is direct but not bossy, and it is how most people give advice in English. Among friends it is completely normal; with people you don't know well, soften it.

Softeners change everything: "Maybe you should", "I think you should", "You might want to". They say the same thing with less pressure. And "You shouldn't" warns: "You shouldn't drive tonight."

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  1. "Maybe" softens it. Good with people you know less well.

  2. The most tactful version. It sounds like a helpful thought.

  3. Not advice. It means "it was amazing, you missed it".

Check yourself

1Which is the most tactful way to give advice?
2What does "You shouldn't drive tonight" express?
3"You should have seen it" usually means...

Practice · 3 min

Give friendly advice. Prompt on the left, one natural sentence on the right.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.