Asking for and Giving advice
Expressions
Asking for advice:
- I've got a bad toothache. What do you suggest?
- What do you advise me to do?
- What should I do?
- What ought I to do?
- What's your advice?
- If you were me what would you do?
Giving advice
- If I were you, I would go to the dentist.
- Why don't you go to the dentist?
- You'd better brush your teeth regularly.
- You ought to/should avoid eating sweets.
- If you take my advice, you'll go to the dentist.
- It might be a good idea to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
- I advise you to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
- Have you thought about seeing a dentist.
Declining to give advice
- 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 obligation but should is more of an advice.
Example:
"You ought to stop smoking."
"You should stop smoking."4. "You'd better" is the short form of "you had better"
Example:
"You'd better see a doctor!" = "You had better see the doctor"
Study the dialogue:
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. It's a fantastic website for beginners. |
Student: | I've heard about it, but what do you think I should start with? |
Teacher: | You'd better start with the lessons.Then, try the exercises. |