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you should have been careful vs you should have been more careful

Both sentences are correct, but there is a difference between them. 'You should have been careful' means that the person should have been careful in general, while 'You should have been more careful' suggests that the person should have been even more careful than they were.
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Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: August 14, 2024

you should have been careful

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone should have been careful in a specific situation.

Examples:

  • You should have been careful while handling the fragile items.
  • You should have been more careful, Kelly.
  • Then you should have been more careful.
  • And you should have been more careful with Will Graham.
  • Guess you should have been more careful.
  • That's why... you should have been more careful around so many people.
  • We've been careful about contact.
  • You've been careful for so long.
  • We have been careful not to stigmatise smokers.
  • No, I've been careful about my intentions.
  • He'd been careful to do what the killer told him.
  • I have been careful all my life.
  • He's been careful not to expose himself.
  • I rather thought you'd been careful of me.
  • I thought we'd been careful about that.
  • After what happened to his brothers, he's always been careful.
  • You know, you've been careful always.
  • See, this is exactly the reason why I've been careful to avoid success.
  • But you told my DC here that you'd been careful.
  • You think you've been careful so far?
  • We have been careful to include Turkey in our efforts - Turkey has a key role to play in promoting dialogue between Europe and the Islamic world.

Alternatives:

  • You should have been cautious.

you should have been more careful

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that someone should have been even more careful than they were in a specific situation.

Examples:

  • You should have been more careful when crossing the street.
  • That's why... you should have been more careful around so many people.
  • You should have been more careful, Kelly.
  • You should have been more careful.
  • And you should have been more careful with Will Graham.
  • Guess you should have been more careful.
  • You know you should have been more careful.
  • What you said to Lee So Jin, I think you should have been more careful.
  • Well, you should have been more careful, then.
  • He's also a patient that was in ICU for over 6months. So, you should have been more careful around him.
  • You should have been more careful.
  • Well, you simply should have been more careful with that policeman.
  • Better be more careful next time.
  • Experience made you more careful... wise.
  • We're being careful, more careful than you know.
  • You ought to be more careful with what you say.
  • Then our American friends would decide, We must be much more careful.
  • You should've been more careful, Jake.
  • Perhaps be more careful next time.
  • Please try to be more careful.
  • Lieutenant Schaeffer should be more careful about who follows him.

Alternatives:

  • You should have been extra cautious.

Related Comparisons

we should understand vs we should be careful You should have been overthere vs You should was overthere you must have been sleeping vs I think you are asleep now must extremely be careful vs must be extremely careful You would be happy. vs You would have been happy. I think you're asleep vs you must have been asleep

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