1. MAKING SUGGESTIONS AND GIVING ADVICE
There are many ways of trying to get people to do things for their own good. The
expressions you use depend on:
a) how difficult or unpleasant the action that you suggest is; and
b) who you are and who you are talking to—the roles you are playing.
Remember that suggestions or advice on personal matters are usually given only to
close friends or when someone asks for advice. The less well you know someone,
the more polite you are likelyto be. If you are making suggestions, there are several
useful expressions you can use. The ones below are in order, from polite
suggestions to direct advice. Add more of your own!
Polite suggestions I wonder if you’ve ever thought of…
(I think) it might be a good idea to…
Have you ever thought of…
Don’t you think it might be a good idea to…
You could always…
If I were you I’d…
Why don’t you…
Perhaps you could…
I think you’d be wise to …
Very Direct You’d better…
Do… (as in “join the army”)
When we give advice, we often need to “sell” our ideas by showing enthusiasm.
When we are enthusiastic, we use adjectives like these:
Fantastic incredible great really good wonderful sensational
They are often put into introductory phrases, like this:
I think it’d be a great idea to…
I’ve got a fantastic idea…
Hey, this is sensational! Listen to this…
Hey! I’ve got this really good idea…
Remember, your tone of voice must sound enthusiastic, too!
Make some enthusiastic suggestions on these topics:
• what to do in the next lesson/ or later in the course
• a good recording to listen to
• a good movie to see
• a good book to read
• how to practice English outside of class
• how to become rich
From_ Functions of American English, CUP, Jones and Baeyer Poe/VSE