you definitely should

USAGE SUMMARY

"you definitely should" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express an opinion, suggestion, or recommendation. For example: "I think you definitely should talk to your professor about extending the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A focus theme doesn't mean you don't have other goals and metrics (you definitely should), but rather that your goals and metrics are tied to the theme — whether that's growing users, revenue, or profits.

HuffPost

For 6 more costly travel mistakes you definitely shouldn't be making, get the full story at Thrillist.com!

HuffPost

Yes? Then you definitely should!

Stanford University

Well, you definitely should not be a 100% bond investor.

Yale University

If you don't know about Waltz (I didn't before this week), you definitely should.

The Guardian

"People expect that if you're so close, then you definitely should make the cut this year.

The New York Times

You will get one point just for submitting something to the contest, so you definitely should participate!

Princeton University

Yes, you definitely should, if only to prove that Americans can tolerate a tiny bit of subtitling and that we know where to find Esquire on the dial.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You definitely should Let us know in the comments below what feelings and situations you wish to convey when using certain emoji.

The Guardian - Tech

When you read it, though - which you definitely should - Flush is convincing, urgent, tense, funny and, well, pretty much perfect really.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When you call him back a couple hours later--you definitely should call him back if you're interested--be vague about what you were doing.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you definitely should" to express a strong yet friendly recommendation, suitable for both casual and semi-formal settings. It strikes a balance between being assertive and respectful.

Common error

While "you definitely should" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in strictly formal or professional writing. Opt for phrases like "it is highly recommended" or "we strongly advise" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you definitely should" functions as a directive, specifically offering strong advice or a recommendation. It suggests a course of action that the speaker believes is beneficial or necessary for the listener. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in various contexts to urge or encourage someone to take a particular step.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you definitely should" serves as a directive to provide strong advice or recommendations and persuade someone towards a specific behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its general grammatical correctness, and although it appears mostly in news and media, it is also present in academic contexts. While generally neutral, it can be informal, so it should be used cautiously in formal contexts. Alternatives such as "you absolutely must" can provide a more forceful or formal emphasis, depending on the speaker's needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you absolutely must

Emphasizes the necessity of the action more strongly than "you definitely should".

you really ought to

Presents a more polite and slightly less assertive recommendation.

it's highly recommended that you

Introduces a formal tone, shifting the focus to the recommendation itself rather than a direct suggestion.

you'd be wise to

Highlights the prudence or benefit of following the suggestion.

I strongly advise you to

Conveys a firm recommendation based on personal advice or experience.

you should seriously consider

Encourages careful thought about the action, implying potential benefits.

it would be in your best interest to

Focuses on the advantage the person would gain by acting on the suggestion.

you might want to think about

Offers a gentle suggestion, leaving the decision entirely to the other person.

I suggest you

A simple and direct suggestion, less emphatic than "you definitely should".

consider

Even more concise and direct, placing emphasis on the receiver to take a decision.

FAQs

What does "you definitely should" mean?

The phrase "you definitely should" is a strong recommendation or suggestion, indicating that the speaker believes the action is highly advisable or beneficial for the listener.

How to use "you definitely should" in a sentence?

Use "you definitely should" to give a friendly but firm suggestion. For example, "If you're going to Paris, "you definitely should" visit the Louvre."

Which is more formal, "you definitely should" or "you absolutely must"?

"You absolutely must" is generally considered more formal and emphatic than ""you definitely should"". The latter is suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "you definitely should"?

You can use alternatives like "you really ought to", "you absolutely must", or "it's highly recommended that you" depending on the context and desired level of formality.