ASKING AND GIVING SUGGESTION/ ADVICE
In daily communica-on, we o1en suggest or advice someone for doing something. Sugges-on is also
called advice. Sugges-on or advice Expression is the statement for giving suggest or advice to make
someone be@er next -me. For example, parents suggest or advice to their child, a friend advises to
other friend or to us. It happens while someone has got bad condi-on or certain occasion.
We should know what expressions are usually used for asking and giving advice or sugges-on. Here
are some ways to ask and give advice or sugges-on someone for doing something and also the ways
to accept or reject sugges-on.
Asking for advice
What do you think I should do?
What do you recommend we do about ... ?
What should I do?
What do you suggest?
What would you advice us to do?
What do you advise me to do?
If you were me what would you do?
What ought I to do?
Do you think that I should…?
Do you have any sugges-ons?
What would you do about ...?
Giving advice
If I were you I would/wouldn’t….
If I were in your shoes/posi-on I would…
You had be@er/ you’d be@er…..
You should…
Maybe you should…
Your only op-on is to….
Why don’t you….
Have you thought about….
Have you tried…
I would recommend that you ...
My advice would be to ...
May I suggest that we ...
If I were you, I would ...
Accep>ng advice
Yes, I agree with that.
That sounds like a good idea!
I don't think that's a good idea.
OK, why don't we do that.
That's very interes-ng.
Rejec>ng advice
I'm sorry, i can't agree with that.
I don't think we should do that.
That's very interes-ng, but ...
I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.
I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.
I wish I could help.
I'm afraid I can't really help you.
Things to remember about asking for and giving advice:
1. "Advise" is a verb.
Example:
"I advise you to learn English. You will undoubtedly need it in your higher studies"
2. "Advice" is a noun.
Example:
"My father gave me this piece of advice when I was young: never give up"
3. "Ought to" has nearly the same meaning as "should". The only difference is that "ought to " refers
to a moral or external obliga-on but should is more of an advice.
Example:
"You ought to stop smoking."
"You should stop smoking."
4. "You'd beJer" is the short form of "you had be@er"
Example:
"You'd beJer see a doctor!" = "You had beJer see the doctor"
SHOULD
You should go to the doctor, he’ll tell you what to do
You shouldn’t go to bed so late, you need more sleep
WHY DON’T YOU
I know it’s difficult to find, but why don’t you look on the Internet?
Why don’t you wait here for a moment, I’m sure she will be back very soon
HOW ABOUT + ING (or YOU + bare infini-ve)
You look bored. How about going for a walk? We could go to the river.
How about you stay here and I go and look for help?
MUST/HAVE TO [strong advice]
You must go to the doctor immediately, that looks serious.
You have to take her to that movie, she’s going to love it.
IF I WERE YOU (+ would)
If I were you, I’d send her an e-mail saying sorry
If I were you, I wouldn’t buy that book
YOU’D BETTER (not) + bare infini-ve (colloquial o1en: YOU BETTER...)
You’d be@er not call her now, she must be too angry with you
You be@er come to my house and ask my father
YOU’D BE CRAZY (not) TO
That girl is wonderful. You’d be crazy not to love her
The house you showed me is so expensive. You’d be crazy to buy it.
IT’S HIGH TIME YOU (+ simple past)
You can’t be with that job all your life. It’s high -me you started looking for a new job.
I think it’s high -me we went home, it’s too late.
SUGGEST (+ that you (should) )
I suggest that you eat more vegetables
I suggest that you should take a holiday, you look so -red
IMPERATIVES (start, stop, try, consider...) + ing
Stop drinking so much coffee, it’s not healthy
Start going to the gym
Try talking to him, you may convince him
Consider buying a new bicycle and give the old one to your li@le brother
Notes: In Bri-sh English Advice is the noun, Advise is the verb
He always gives very good advice.
I advise you to buy the cheaper one
"Advice" is an uncountable noun, so you can’t say “an advice”, you must say “some advice” or “a
piece of advice”
I’ll give you some advice, if you want to listen
That was only a piece of advice, not an order
Example 1
Student : I'm terrible at English and I think I should do something about it.What do you advise
me to do?
Teacher : I think you should try this website www.iTapuih.com. It's a fantas-c website for
beginners.
Student : I've heard about it, but what do you think I should start with?
Teacher : You'd be@er start with the lessons. Then, try the exercises. There are many English
material on the website and also some exercises.
Student : I would like to improve my speaking. What should I do?
Teacher : You should watch English channels and listen English musics.
Student : Thank you sir.
Teacher : Don’t men-on it.
Example 2
This conversa-on taking place at Iqbal’s bedroom
Mother : Iqbal…bal...oh my god. Wake up my dear. It’s Monday morning, don't you go to
school.
Iqbal : Mom, I have got a headache.
Mother : Let me check. You have got a high temperature. You should stay at home.
Iqbal : That sounds like a good idea!
Mother : Just a moment, I will call your daddy. You should go to a doctor.
Iqbal : No...Mom, I don't think that's a good idea.
Example 3
This conversa-on taking place at the park
Aufa : I have a serious problem today. I have just lost my wallet.
Tami : Don't be so sad my friend, let us search it around the park.
Aufa : I have looked for it for hours but I do not find it, do you have some ideas?
Tami : You had be@er tell the securi-es to announce it to other students.
Aufa : Yeah, that sounds good. I do hope it helps.
Tami : Let’s go.. !
