Asking, Giving, and Responding to Advice and Suggestions

In our daily lives, we often find ourselves in situations where we need to ask for or offer suggestions and advice to a family member, friend, colleague, or even a relative. People seek advice or suggestions when they are uncertain about what steps to take.

In this post, we will explore how to:

1. Ask for suggestions or advice.
2. Offer suggestions or advice.
3. Make suggestions.
4. Respond to suggestions or advice.

Let’s take a closer look at the expressions commonly used in these scenarios.

1. Expressions for Asking for Advice or Suggestions

When you need someone’s opinion or guidance, you can use these phrases:

• Do you think I ought to ...?
• Do you have any ideas about how I can ...?
• What do you think I should ...?
• Should I try to ...?
• If you were in my shoes, would you ...?
• If you were in my situation, how would you ...?
• Can you give me some advice about ...?
• What do you suggest I do?
• What do you recommend I should do?
• Do you have any recommendations for ...?
• Can you recommend ...?

2. Expressions for Giving Advice or Suggestions

When offering advice or making suggestions, the following phrases are often used:

• (I’d say that) You’d better ....
• If I were you, I would ....
• If I were in your shoes, I would ....
• If I were in your situation, I would ....
• It would probably a good idea to ....
• Why don’t you ...?
• How about ...?
• Maybe you should ....
• I advise you to ....
• My advice is to ....
• I suggest that you ....
• Let me suggest that you ....
• I recommend that you ....
• My recommendation is that you ....

The above expressions are highly practical and versatile for daily conversations. Practice using them in real-life situations to improve your English fluency and confidence in communicating advice or suggestions!

When responding to advice, we often express agreement or disagreement. Here are some expressions you can use.

3. Agreeing with Advice or Suggestions

• I agree with you.
• I think you're right.
• I couldn't agree more.
• I think so.
• That's a good idea.
• That's right.
• Thanks. I'll take your advice.
• That sounds great.

4. Disagreeing with Advice or Suggestions

• No, I don't think so.
• I disagree with you.
• That's not a good idea.
• I understand your point, but I think ....

The above phrases will help you communicate your stance when someone offers you advice. Whether you agree or disagree, expressing yourself clearly is key to good communication!

Exercise Section

Complete the following short dialogues.

Dialogue 1

Woman (asking for a suggestion): "_____ to Rasya's wedding party tonight?"

Man (giving a suggestion): "You’d better wear the beige dress that we bought in Surabaya. It looks good on you."

Woman (agreeing): "_____"

Dialogue 2

Woman: (complaining): "I have a terrible headache."

Man (giving a suggestion): "_____"

Woman (agreeing): "_____"

Dialogue 3

Woman (asking for a suggestion): "I want to eat out this evening. _____"

Man (giving a suggestion): "_____"

Woman (disagreeing): "_____"

Man (giving another suggestion): ""

Woman (agreeing): "_____"

Updated:

• Thu, Feb 4, 2021 7:50 A.M.
• Mon, Jan 6, 2025