Giving advice

In this video, Paul and Bob try to help Noelia with a problem. Listen to the language they use for giving advice and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you give advice? Listen out for useful language for giving advice. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: Argh, this is just ridiculous! 

Paul: Susan again? 

Noelia: Yeah, Susan. She just keeps emailing me about things that have nothing to do with work and nothing to do with me. What do you think I should do? 

Paul: Well, if I were you, I'd email and ask her to stop sending them.

Noelia: I'm not sure that's a good idea. I have to be careful what I say as she's quite an important client. 

Paul: Erm, I'm not sure then. Perhaps you could try talking to Yuna about it?

Bob: Er .. why don't you try doing nothing?

Noelia: Sorry? 

Bob: Perhaps you could just … do nothing? 

Noelia: Really? I'm not too sure about that.

Bob: Well, I remember this guy I used to work with, Mark, and he kept emailing again and again and again, about all sorts, mostly unrelated to work. Well, I kept responding politely and he kept sending them. In the end, I stopped replying to his emails unless they were only about work. 

Paul: And what happened? 

Bob: He stopped sending them. It's a bit like being faced with a dangerous snake. If you move quickly, it'll bite you, but if you keep very still and do nothing, eventually it'll move away and leave you alone. I had to learn the hard way. 

 

Noelia: Hey, Bob. Have you got a minute?

Bob: Yeah.

Noelia: So, I tried what you suggested and I only responded to Susan's emails about work for a few days. Then guess what?

Bob: The irrelevant emails stopped. 

Noelia: Yes! Now she only sends me work-related ones.

Bob: Well, that's very good news.

Noelia: All thanks to you, Bob.

Bob: Any time, Noelia, any time! All in a day's work. Ahh! 

 

Ana: Hello again! It looks like Bob is in Noelia's good books. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for giving advice? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

What do you think I should do?

If I were you, I'd ask her.

I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Perhaps you could try talking to Yuna.

Why don't you try doing nothing?

I'm not too sure about that.

I tried what you suggested. 

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you give advice in English. Bye for now! 

Discussion

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Average: 4 (34 votes)

Submitted by Momocompanyman on Mon, 09/11/2020 - 11:01

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Always, I ask my Dad because He is a wise man.

Submitted by habibao.medo on Mon, 19/10/2020 - 12:50

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i ask my mom and my friend i think they will know what to do
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Submitted by danisep on Sat, 17/10/2020 - 22:09

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I have asked for advice from my older sister. I don't like to share my life with anybody. I'm a reserved person. I would like to have the trust to tell my problems and concerns to my parents but I don't feel confort doing that because I think they cannot keep a secret.

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/10/2020 - 16:46

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Normally I ask my best friend for advise who is a very wise man or my líder from my church. They always have something helpful And amazing to say.

Submitted by Cami on Thu, 08/10/2020 - 11:57

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When I need advises, usually I speak with my mother or my father. They quite all the times have given to me good advises, that I followed complete or only partially. Other times, instead, their adivses made me reflecting more about a solution for my problem and I managed finding it.

Submitted by cittàutopica on Mon, 28/09/2020 - 18:58

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It depends: if it's an important and personal question (healt, money, etc.) I prefer to ask my relatives; but, about what concerns other subjects, less essential, I prefer to dog on my own.

Submitted by sindhallb on Fri, 04/09/2020 - 19:58

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Nice experience ! Today I learnt which expressions I could use in a more polite way while giving suggestions

Submitted by Asni on Sun, 30/08/2020 - 23:13

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Actually, it depends on the situation. I could ask my parents, my brother or my husband for advice. I ask for advice about almost everything, I like to discuss and know other people's opinion before making a decision even when I feel quite sure about something. Obviously, those people must be trustworthy, honest and kind of wise, who could help me make the right choice or decision.

Submitted by tounkara on Fri, 31/07/2020 - 18:26

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I do usually ask for advice to my friends, parents and teachers depending on different issues.

Submitted by Allate on Fri, 31/07/2020 - 15:52

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I generally ask for advice to my friends and family. Sometimes I can also ask for advice to my colleagues about ideas on lesson plans and activities. Asking for advice is useful,it helps you have a good appeciation of things before making a decision. Advice can help us avoid mistakes. I ask for advice because I want to make sure that I am on the right path when I have to do something.Asking for advice can also make me feel more confident.