Common Expressions for Giving Advice

Speaking Task 1 – Giving Advice

We all have times when we want to give advice to someone or to make a suggestion about
something they could do to solve a problem. However, it’s not always easy to do that without
giving offence, so here is a range of language you could use in this situation.

1. The most obvious words to use for giving advice are the modal verbs should and ought to:

You ought to eat more vegetables.

You shouldn’t be so rude to your parents.

Note: Although we commonly use the negative form shouldn’t, it’s very rare and formal to use
the negative form of ought to.

2. We also use need to in the same way:

You need to get some sleep.

Note: Words like should, ought to and need to are very definite. They show that you are very
sure of your advice. The problem with that is that they can be annoying to the person you are
talking to because they can make you sound rather bossy.
3. Add words like perhaps or maybe at the beginning of the sentence when using need to,
should or ought to :

Maybe you should call her.

4. You could also use the modal verb could, which makes the sentence sound more like a
suggestion rather than a piece of strict advice. Again, you could add a word like perhaps to
make it even less bossy:

Perhaps you could get a part-time job.

Perhaps/Maybe you could help out with the refreshments.

5. Another common way of giving advice is to start a sentence with If I were you, I’d … :

If I were you, I’d insist on a pay rise.

6. Another phrase worth learning for advice is you’d better (not):

You’d better take a torch.

However, it’s important to note that – depending on context and the tone of voice – this phrase
can sound quite threatening:

You’d better not try to trick me!

There are lots of other possible ways of giving advice. Here is a selection:

7. It might be an idea / a good idea to reserve a seat.

8. Why don’t you / Why not leave it until another day?

9. I’d suggest / recommend cooking it in the oven.

10. I’d advise you / My advice is to leave the city immediately. (formal)

11. Have you thought of going to a different hairdresser?

12. Have you tried speaking to James about the problem?

13. Have you considered/thought about speaking to James?

14. How/What about speaking to James?

15. You could/can always try the café on Green Street.

16. It might be a great idea to speak to Clare first.

17. I’ve always found it useful to make notes as I’m listening. Perhaps you could do that.

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