Learning to give advice in English is a super useful skill! Whether you’re chatting with friends, helping colleagues, or even just offering suggestions online, knowing how to give advice politely and effectively in English will make your conversations much smoother and more helpful. This lesson will guide you through the essential phrases and tips for giving advice in English, perfect for B1 level learners like you. We’ll focus on practical speaking applications so you can start using these phrases right away!

Why is Giving Advice Important in English?

Think about your everyday conversations. How often do people ask for your opinion or help with a problem? Giving advice is a key part of communication. It shows you care, you’re helpful, and you can participate actively in conversations. In English, just like in your native language, knowing how to give advice well can build stronger relationships and make you a more confident English speaker. This lesson will help you learn English phrases for advice that are common and easy to use.

Common Phrases for Giving Advice in English

There are lots of ways to give advice, from direct and strong to gentle and suggestive. Let’s look at some useful phrases, starting with some of the most common:

Direct and Common Advice Phrases:

• You should…: This is a very common and direct way to give advice. For example, “You should try to get some rest.”
• You shouldn’t…: The negative form, also direct. “You shouldn’t work too late.”
• You ought to…: Similar to ‘should’ but a bit more formal. “You ought to speak to your manager about it.”
• Have you tried…?: Suggests an action they might not have considered. “Have you tried drinking herbal tea for your headache?”

Softer and More Suggestive Advice Phrases:

• Why don’t you…?: A gentler way to suggest something. “Why don’t you take a break?”
• How about…?: Another friendly suggestion. “How about going for a walk?”
• If I were you, I would…: Puts yourself in their shoes and offers advice. “If I were you, I would ask for help.”
• It might be a good idea to…: Suggests something as a possibility. “It might be a good idea to check the train times online.”
• Perhaps you could…: A polite and less direct suggestion. “Perhaps you could talk to a friend about it.”

Phrases for Asking for More Information Before Giving Advice:

Sometimes, you need more information before you can give good advice. These phrases are helpful:

• What’s the problem exactly?
• Can you tell me more about it?
• What have you tried already?

How to Give Advice Effectively: Tips for Speaking

It’s not just about what you say, but also how you say it. Here are some tips to make your advice more effective and well-received when speaking English:

1. Be Polite: Even when giving direct advice, try to be polite. Using softer phrases like “Why don’t you…” or “Perhaps you could…” can make your advice easier to accept.
2. Be Understanding: Show that you understand the person’s situation. Start by listening carefully and showing empathy.
3. Don’t be too bossy: Avoid sounding like you are ordering someone. Advice is a suggestion, not a command. Phrases like “You must…” can sound too strong.
4. Give options, not just solutions: Sometimes there isn’t one perfect answer. Offer a few different options for them to consider.
5. Ask questions: Before giving advice, ask questions to understand the situation fully. This shows you care and helps you give more relevant advice.
6. Consider your relationship: Be mindful of your relationship with the person. You might give different advice to a close friend than to a colleague.

Examples of Giving Advice in Conversations

Let’s see how these phrases work in real conversations. Here are a few examples:

Example 1: Friend is stressed about work

Friend: “I’m so stressed at work. I have so much to do and I don’t know where to start!”

You: “Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. Why don’t you try making a list of everything you need to do? Then you can prioritize and tackle one thing at a time. It might be a good idea to break down big tasks into smaller steps.”

Example 2: Colleague has a cold

Colleague: “I think I’m getting a cold. I feel terrible.”

You: “Oh dear, that’s not good. You should drink lots of water and get some rest. Have you tried taking any medicine for colds?”

Example 3: Someone wants to improve their English

Learner: “I want to improve my English conversation skills, but I’m not sure how.”

You: “That’s a great goal! If I were you, I would try to practice speaking English every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. How about finding a language partner online or joining an English conversation group? Also, using apps like Lingofrnd.com can really help you practice speaking and get feedback!”

Things to Avoid When Giving Advice

Giving advice is helpful, but sometimes it can go wrong if we’re not careful. Here are a few things to avoid:

• Giving advice when it’s not asked for: Unless someone asks for your opinion, sometimes it’s better to listen and offer support without giving direct advice.
• Being judgmental: Avoid phrases that sound critical or blaming. Focus on being helpful and supportive.
• Giving advice about things you don’t understand: If you don’t know much about the situation, it’s okay to say “I’m not sure, but maybe you could…” or suggest they talk to an expert.
• Interrupting: Let the person finish explaining their problem before you jump in with advice. Active listening is key!

Let’s Practice! Giving Advice in English

Now it’s your turn to practice! Complete these sentences with the best advice phrase from the box below. Write your answers in the blanks.

Advice Phrases Box: You should, Why don’t you, If I were you, Have you tried, It might be a good idea to

1. My computer is very slow. __________ restart it?
2. I can’t sleep at night. __________ drink some warm milk before bed.
3. I want to learn new vocabulary. __________ read English books and articles.
4. I’m feeling really tired. __________ take a break and relax for a while.
5. I don’t understand this grammar rule. __________ ask my teacher for help.

Answers to Practice Exercise:

1. My computer is very slow. Have you tried restart it?
2. I can’t sleep at night. You should drink some warm milk before bed.
3. I want to learn new vocabulary. It might be a good idea to read English books and articles.
4. I’m feeling really tired. Why don’t you take a break and relax for a while.
5. I don’t understand this grammar rule. If I were you, I would ask my teacher for help.

Practice Speaking English and Giving Advice with Lingofrnd

Want to practice giving advice and improve your spoken English practice even more? Lingofrnd.com is your AI spoken English teacher! It’s a fantastic way to practice conversations, including situations where you need to give advice. You can get instant feedback and build your confidence in speaking English fluently.

Visit Lingofrnd.com to learn more and start practicing today. You can also Download App on the Google Play Store to practice on the go! Lingofrnd can help you master functional English like giving advice and much more, making you a more confident and effective communicator in English.

Conclusion

Giving advice is a valuable communication skill in English. By learning these phrases and tips, you can confidently offer helpful suggestions in various situations. Remember to be polite, understanding, and practice regularly. Keep improving your English conversation skills and you’ll be advising like a pro in no time! And don’t forget to check out Lingofrnd.com to boost your speaking confidence even further!