Giving advice
Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.
Preparation
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!
Who do you ask for advice and why?
I regularly ask my father for advice. He is a very wise, resourceful man. He has always given me great suggestions regarding all sort of things
The last time I asked my mom if it was worth attending the seminar "Towards a New Generation of Quantum Technologies Using Compressed Light and Schrödinger's Cat States" was a week ago.
I ask a book, yes, sounds weird, but it is the only one that can provide me with the advice I want.
This activity was helpful because I learned new ways to give advice in English. It helped me improve my vocabulary and fluency. I enjoyed completing the exercises.
I usually ask my wife for advice, because we try thinking together what to do.
When I misunderstood the issues like for life I ask my friends to give the about the problem, but if is for work even I ask my friend to give me the advice.
I usually ask my mother for advice because she keeps it a secret forever. Not only does she empathise, but she also gives advice regarding what I need to do. Moreover, she is easy to talk to.
I usually just google the advice I need to avoid misunderstandment.
Actually, I don't remember when was the last time I asked for advice onyone. I think nobody could decide what you should do better than youself.
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