could use a lesson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could use a lesson" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that someone or something would benefit from or needs to learn a specific topic or lesson. Example: "My new coworker could use a lesson in time management. She is always running behind schedule." In this example, the speaker is suggesting that the coworker would benefit from learning about time management. The phrase "could use a lesson" indicates that the coworker currently lacks this skill, and the speaker feels that it would be helpful for them to learn it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I could use a lesson".

The New York Times - Sports

I know: a lot of husbands could use a lesson in this, right?

The New York Times

The Art of the Hidden Ball Philadelphia infielder Tomas Perez could use a lesson from the master.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, she could use a lesson in mindfulness: when she hears the Teacher's voice, she starts to laugh, and, when other members of this spiritual expedition enter late, she can barely contain her mirth.

The New Yorker

The Mayor Hermano — Amadeo's grand-tío Tivé, who owns the electronics store, and who surprised them all when he chose his niece's lazy son (because, he told Yolanda, Amadeo could use a lesson in sacrifice) — plays the pito, and the thin piping notes rise in a whine.

The New Yorker

The Mayor Hermano Amadeo's grand-tío Tivé, who owns the electronics store, and who surprised them all when he chose his niece's lazy son (because, he told Yolanda, Amadeo could use a lesson in sacrifice)—plays the pito, and the thin piping notes rise in a whine.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I could use a lifestyle lesson on how to lift my roll on suitcase into the airplane overhead storage container without breaking a nail.

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Justice's public affairs staffers think Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) could use a history lesson on the civil rights movement.

Huffington Post

All Americans could use a civics lesson, and even a test once in a while -- particularly in these times when our basic tenets of freedom and affluence are under siege from fundamentalist terrorists and world enemies alike.

Huffington Post

Ruth could use a few lessons in free flowing.

The New York Times - Books

This is a guy who could use a few lessons at Arthur Murray.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could use a lesson", be specific about the area where improvement is needed to provide clear direction. For example, instead of saying "He could use a lesson", specify "He could use a lesson in effective communication".

Common error

Avoid using "could use a lesson" in overly broad contexts without specifying the skill or knowledge gap. Saying someone "could use a lesson" without further detail can sound vague and unhelpful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could use a lesson" functions as a polite and indirect way of suggesting that someone or something would benefit from instruction or improvement in a particular area. As seen in Ludwig, the expression avoids direct criticism, offering a constructive approach.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could use a lesson" serves as a tactful suggestion for improvement or instruction. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While the phrase maintains a generally neutral register, leaning slightly towards the informal, its clear and constructive intent makes it versatile for different scenarios. To maximize its impact, always specify the area needing improvement and remember to avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would benefit from instruction

Replaces "could use" with "would benefit from" and "lesson" with "instruction".

could stand to learn

Emphasizes the potential for learning and improvement.

needs some guidance

Focuses on the need for direction and support.

would profit from some teaching

Highlights the advantages of receiving instruction.

requires further education

Implies a necessity for more formal learning.

might need coaching

Suggests the benefit of personalized training.

could improve with training

Highlights the potential for enhancement through structured learning.

needs to be educated

Directly states the necessity for education.

would do well to study

Suggests that studying would be advantageous.

should be given a tutorial

Recommends a guided learning session.

FAQs

How can I use "could use a lesson" in a sentence?

Use "could use a lesson" to suggest someone needs instruction or improvement in a specific area. For instance, "The marketing team "could use a lesson" in social media strategy".

What's an alternative to saying "could use a lesson"?

Alternatives include "would benefit from instruction", "needs some guidance", or "could stand to learn", depending on the context.

Is "could use a lesson" formal or informal?

"Could use a lesson" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both professional and informal settings, though more formal alternatives may be preferable in highly professional contexts.

What's the difference between "could use a lesson" and "needs a lesson"?

"Could use a lesson" is a more polite and indirect way of saying someone needs to improve, while "needs a lesson" is more direct and can sometimes sound harsh. "Could use a lesson" implies potential for improvement, whereas "needs a lesson" might suggest a current deficiency.