Originally Posted by
JBee
Imperative sentences are by nature commands from the speaker to the subject. ("Do your homework." "Take the trash out." "Eat your vegetables.") These imply the speaker have some semblance of authority to be issuing a command to the subject. ("I, as your parent, am telling you to do your homework.") There may be no intention of authority, but it implies it all the same.
Just like when I took cpr training, when they train you on the auto defib, the instructions are not to shout out to a crowd of people for someone to call an ambulance... the directions are to very clearly point at someone and say, "Call 911." You assume and assert authority on the situation.
Even if there was no issue with what you meant, I was specifically referring to your choice of words.
Going by the spirit of what you meant - yes, people should be able to easily tell the difference between defending an action and offering advice.