Giving Advice and Suggestions in English

 👉 Author: Emiliano Canales Rodríguez

📚 Subject: English II

📅 3rd Partial Project (May–August 2025)

Introduction

In daily life, we often need to give advice or suggestions to others. English offers several simple structures to do this in a polite and effective way. The most common are “should / shouldn’t”, “If I were you, I would(n’t)”, and “Why don’t you…?”.

These expressions allow us to recommend actions, share opinions, and guide people when making decisions.

📘 1. Using Should / Shouldn’t

This structure is the most direct way to give advice.

Grammar: Subject + should/shouldn’t + base verb

Use: To recommend or warn about something.

✅ Examples:

You should drink more water.

You shouldn’t watch too much TV.

📘 2. Using If I were you, I would(n’t)…

This expression is more personal. The speaker imagines being in the other person’s situation.

Grammar: If I were you, I would + base verb

Note: “I were” is used instead of “I was” because it is hypothetical.

✅ Examples:

If I were you, I’d talk to the teacher.

If I were you, I wouldn’t skip class.

📘 3. Using Why don’t you…?

This form is friendly and informal. It suggests an idea politely.

Grammar: Why don’t you + base verb

Use: To propose a possible action.

✅ Example:

Why don’t you study with a friend?

🌟 Conclusion

Giving advice in English is simple if you use the right expressions:

Use should/shouldn’t for direct recommendations.

Use If I were you… for more personal advice.

Use Why don’t you…? for friendly suggestions.

By mastering these structures, you can communicate more naturally in everyday life. Next time someone needs help, you’ll be ready!