Giving Advice in English

Learning how to give advice effectively is a valuable skill for clear and helpful communication. In English, modal verbs and specific phrases are often used to offer advice, make suggestions, or provide guidance. Let’s explore some of these tools, along with practical examples and exercises to help you master this aspect of grammar.

Using Modal Verbs for Giving Advice

Modal verbs such as should, ought to, and had better are commonly used when giving advice.

• Should and Ought to: These are used to express what is the best or right thing to do.

  • Examples:

    • People shouldn’t break their promises. (It is not right to break promises.)

    • Your uncle was very kind to me. I ought to write him a letter of thanks.

    • You’re not feeling well. Perhaps you should see a doctor.

• Had Better: This phrase is stronger and often implies a warning or an immediate necessity.

  • Examples:

    • It’s cold. The children had better wear their coats.

    • My wife is waiting for me. I’d better not be late.

    • The neighbors are complaining. We’d better turn the music down.

When using had better:

• With I and we, it indicates an immediate intention: I’d better go by car.

• With he, she, or they, it serves as advice or a warning: You’d better hurry.

Talking About Past Mistakes

To discuss mistakes in the past, use should have or ought to have + past participle.

• Examples:

  • I ought to have gone by train (but I didn’t, and it was a mistake).

  • He shouldn’t have taken the car (but he did, and it was a mistake).

Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with should or shouldn’t:

1. I can’t come out tonight, Rachel. I _________ do some more work. I’m behind everything.

2. You _________ worry so much, Vicky. You _________ relax sometimes.

3. I know I _________ panic, but I do. I can’t help it.

Giving Immediate Advice: Using ‘You’d Better’

Respond to these situations with had better (not):

1. Vicky doesn’t feel well. She’s got a headache. (an aspirin)

   • You’d better take an aspirin.

2. Ilona is leaving her bike outside the swimming pool unlocked. (lock)

   • You’d better lock your bike.

Making Suggestions in Different Ways

• Using Questions: Making advice less direct can make it more polite or conversational.

  • Examples:

    • Why don’t you try some more tidying?

    • How about taking a break?

• Imagining Yourself in Their Position: Use If I were you, I would... to explain your advice.

  • Example: If I were you, I would spend more time on revision before exams.

Exploring Alternative Suggestion Phrases

• How about...?/Why don’t...?: Both phrases suggest an idea or action.

  • Examples:

    • How about going to a movie?

    • Why don’t we meet at 6 p.m.?

• Let’s: Used to make a suggestion involving yourself and others.

  • Example: Let’s meet at the new café.

• Could: Indicates a neutral or polite suggestion.

  • Examples:

    • You could wear your red dress to the party.

    • Couldn’t you finish your essay in the morning?

• There’s Always: Used for weak or humorous suggestions.

  • Example: Don’t worry! There’s always next year.

Expressing Recommendations

• Use I suggest or I recommend to provide advice:

  • Examples:

    • I suggest studying grammar more.

    • I recommend trying yoga to reduce stress.

Responding to Suggestions

• Accepting:

  • That’s a great idea!

  • Perfect! Let’s do it.

• Declining:

  • I’m not sure. How about trying something else?

Interactive Practice: Dialogue Creation

Create a dialogue using the phrases and structures learned. Here’s an example:

Ben: I’m bored! What shall we do? You: Let’s play a board game. Ben: No, I don’t like board games. You: How about watching a movie instead? Ben: Good idea! What shall we watch?

Conclusion

Giving advice is a key aspect of communication in English. By practicing modal verbs, suggestion phrases, and engaging in real-life dialogues, you can become confident in offering advice and making recommendations.