UNIT VII: FUNCTIONS

Expressing Advice:Asking for & 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"

Examples:

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.