Introductory notes about expressing advice
The phrase “expressing advice” designates asking for and giving advice. You seek advice when you have a problem and you ask someone to help you find a solution to fix it.
Giving advice means helping someone fix his problem by offering him guidance and recommendation.
Advice /ədˈvaɪs/ (noun): recommendation/guidelines.
Advise /ədˈvaɪz/ (verb): give advice/recommendation/guidelines.
Giving advice (direct ways)
| Expressions/ways of giving advice | Examples |
| modal+verb | You should drink so much water. You ought to drink so much water. You had better drink so much water. |
| advise+infinitive with “to“ | I advise you to drink so much water |
Giving advice (indirect ways)
| Expressions/ways of giving advice | Examples |
| If+past simple+would+verb | If I were you, I would accept the offer. If I were in your position/place/situation/shoes, I would accept the offer. |
| Why don’t you+verb | Why don’t you see a doctor? |
| How about+verb-ing | How about seeing a doctor? |
| I suggest/recommend+verb-ing | I suggest/recommend practicing sport. |
Seeking/asking for advice
| Expressions/ways of asking for advice | Examples |
| What should I …………? | What should I do to fix this problem? |
| What ought I to …………..? | What ought I to do to improve my English? |
| What do you advise me to ……………? | What do you advise me to do to lose weight? |
| What would you do if you+past simple ………….? | What would you do if you were me? What would you do if you were in my position/situation/place/shoes? |
| What do you suggest I ……………..? | What do you suggest I should do to fix the problem with my P.C? |
| What do you think I …………….? | What do you think I should do to solve this issue? |
Expressing advice: exercises
A/ Give advice to these people using expressions between parentheses
- I suffer from loneliness. (should)
- I don’t have a job. (ought to)
- I have a headache. (had better)
- I am terrible at maths. (why don’t you)
- I want to lose weight, but I don’t know how. (How about)
- I can’t find a good woman to marry. (If I were)
- I can’t see very well on the blackboard. (I advise you)
- My 15-year-old son is always absent from school. (I suggest)
- I always feel exhausted after work. (you should)
- My car often breaks down. (I recommend)
B/ Ask your friend for advice to fix your problem. Use expressions from the second table above.
- I suffer from loneliness.
- I don’t have a job.
- I have a headache.
- I am terrible at maths.
- I want to lose weight, but I don’t know how.
- I can’t find a good woman to marry.
- I can’t see very well on the blackboard.
- My 15-year-old son is always absent from school.
- I always feel exhausted after work.
- My car often breaks down.
