Giving Advice and Suggestions in English: Definition, Examples, and Exercises

Giving Advice and Suggestions in English – There are various kinds of expressions that you can learn in English, for example the expressions giving advice and suggestions. You might already know about that subject matter. But do you know that there are special phrases you can use to give advice and suggestions?

Now, we will be explaining the expressions giving advice and suggestions along with examples of sentences and exercises.

What’s the Difference Between Advice and Suggestions?

Suggestions are ideas, plans or actions that are suggested or the act of suggesting it that someone should think about. Meanwhile, advice is what someone offers you (in the form of opinion) about what you should do or how you should act in a particular situation.

Expressions of Giving Advice and Suggestions

The following are examples of expressions of giving advice and suggestions:

Asking for Suggestions

Examples:

1. What shall we do?

2. Has anybody got any ideas about our next project?

Making Suggestions

A. To others, or ourselves and others

Examples:

1. Why don’t you / we / etc. go to the cinema?

2. You could (always) go to the cinema.

3. How about going to the cinema?

4. What about going to the cinema?

B. To ourselves and others

Examples:

1. Let’s go to the cinema.

2. Shall we go to the cinema?

3. Let’s go to the cinema, shall we?

Responding to Suggestions

A. Accepting the suggestions

Examples:

1. That is a good idea.

2. That sounds like a good idea.

3. Yes, let’s go.

4. Yes, OK

B. Refusing the suggestions

Examples:

1. Good idea, but I am busy this evening.

2. I think I’d prefer to be at home in tonight.

3. Couldn’t we stay in tonight?

Asking for advice

Examples:

1. What shall I do?

2. What do you think I should do?

3. What would you do / say if you were in my position?

Giving advice

Examples:

1. I think you should change jobs.

2. If I were you I’d change jobs.

3. You’d (had) better change jobs.

Responding to advice

A. Accepting the advice

Examples:

1. That is a good idea.

2. That sounds like a good idea.

3. Yes, I will do that.

4. Yes, I could / should.

B. Rejecting the advice

Examples:

1. Thank you. It is a good idea but I can’t do it.

2. Yes I could / should do it, but I can’t.

3. I know, but I can’t

Things You Need to Know About Giving Advice and Suggestions

You can use imperative sentences to give advice to others, especially when you are sure that your advice is true. For example:

Don’t leave the TV plugged in while you are away.

In everyday language, you can use the word “let’s” which means “let me” to ask for something (request) or offer something, and not a suggestion. for example:

Let’s take a look at your essay. (which means: Give your essay to me so I can see it)

Giving Advice and Suggestions Exercises

Since you have been reading the explanation of this subject matter, now you can do this exercise to master it.

Are the following sentences suggestions (s) or advice (a)?

Example:

Why don’t you tell him you don’t want to see him again? (s)

1. Let’s not go out tonight after all. ___
2. If I were you I’d stop taking that medicine. ___
3. I think you should buy yourself a nice new dress for the party. ___
4. Why don’t we get married? ___
5. Shall we cancel the holiday? ___

Answers

1. (s)
2. (a)
3. (a)
4. (s)
5. (s)

That was our explanation and examples of giving advice and suggestions. It would be our pleasure if you could understand this subject matter completely. Thanks!