Giving advice

An opinion given to someone about the best thing to do in a particular situation. (Macmillan Dictionary)

There are many basics to take in consideration while giving a piece of advice such as: tactfulness, knowledge, wisdom, honesty, and selflessness. If the choice of the words isn’t careful and accurate, it may hurt the receiver and therefore the piece of advice loses its noble function.

The fact of giving and receiving advice spreads love and respect among people and consolidates the common good sense inside the community.

Forms:

There is a diversity of forms to use:

1. The modal “should”: Should + main verb
2. Had better (common in spoken English): Had better + main verb (the negative form: had better + not + main verb)
3. Verb “to advise”: I advise + someone + full infinitive
4. Ought to (formal): Ought to + main verb (the negative form is “oughtn’t to”)
5. If I were you, I would … (common in spoken English) : If I were you, I would + main verb. (conditional type 2)
6. Why don’t you : Why don’t you + main verb

Examples :

• You should go on a diet to lose weight !
• You had better go on a diet to lose weight !
• I advise you to go on a diet to lose weight !
• You ought to go on a diet to lose weight !
• If I were you, I would go on a diet to lose weight !
• Why don’t you go on a diet to lose weight !

The forms above can be used to give advice in the present and future contexts.

In the past context we can use the following forms:

1. Should + have + past participle.
2. ought to + have + past participle

Examples :

• You should have gone on a diet !
• You ought to have gone on a diet !

Good luck!