Vanessa explains that “should” is useful but can sound strong or categorical in some situations. Adding “probably” softens the recommendation or self-directed statement by showing that the speaker sees it as a sensible idea, not an absolute necessity. For example, “I should study English more” sounds stronger than “I should probably study English more.” The second version allows some uncertainty and can feel less intense in casual conversation.
She demonstrates “should probably” with several contexts. A learner might say they should probably study more, while acknowledging that not doing so is not the end of the world. Vanessa then shows the past form “should probably not have eaten five pieces of pizza.” This structure looks back at a completed action and suggests mild regret or a judgment that a different choice would have been better. “Probably” makes the comment sound lighter and more conversational than a firm condemnation.
Her final example is “My friends should probably be coming over around now.” Here, should probably be + -ing expresses an expectation about what is happening or will happen soon. Vanessa paraphrases it as thinking that her friends will arrive around this time. The exact meaning depends on context: it may express an expectation, advice, or mild regret, so the surrounding words matter.
Learners can use “should probably” for gentle advice or tentative plans, “should probably not have + past participle” for a softer comment about a past action, and “should probably be + -ing” for an expected event. They should not treat probably as a politeness guarantee; tone, relationship, and situation still influence how a sentence sounds. The video ends by inviting viewers to write one sentence about something they should probably do or avoid doing. The key skill is choosing the form that matches the time reference and making the recommendation sound appropriately measured.