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 practice more with your friends.
Student:	Ok. Thanks, but what do you think I should start with?
Teacher:	You'd better start with the lessons.Then, try the exercises.