ADVICE

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GIVE ADVICE (even when its not asked for)
Advice can be expressed in numerous ways. Should is by far the
most frequently used form for giving advice. In many settings
should and ought to are interchangeable. However, when used
to give advice ought to may infer the speakers conviction that
a sense of duty is involved.

This is considered to be the

right/customary action to take.

SHOULD
You havent been well lately. You
should go to the doctors.
You should tell John the truth.
You really should tell him. truth.

Emphatic advice.

Right/customary thing to do.

OUGHT TO
You ought to go to the doctors.
You ought to tell John the truth.
He deserves to know.

HAD BETTER
Youve had a temperature all week.
Youd better call the doctor.

The speaker considers this to

be morally correct and
therefore your duty to do.
Highly recommended action.

Stronger than should, weaker

than have to. Should this
advice not be taken there may
be negative consequences or
potential problems.

MUST / HAVE TO
You must go to see this film.
fantastic.

Its

You have to visit the exhibition.

Everyone we know has already been to
see it.
yOU

Emphatic advice.

ADVISE/WOULD ADVISE
I advise you/I would advise you to
make a decision within the next two
days.

Advice given in a formal

context.

WHY DONT YOU ?

Why dont you go to the doctors?
Why dont you tell him the truth?

Unemphatic advice or
suggestion

Why dont you mind your own

business?

MAY/MIGHT AS WELL
You may/might as well tell him the
truth.

ITS (HIGH) TIME

Its (high) time you told him the
truth.

IF I WERE YOU
If I were you, Id go to the
doctors.
If I were you, I would tell him the
truth.

Unemphatic advice. The

speaker doubts there will be
any/ulterior negative
consequences or problems.

(past subjunctive)
The advice is to do what
should already have been
done and is (well)overdue.

(2nd conditional / past

subjunctive)
This would be the speakers
action in this setting.