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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Submitted by Leila77 on Thu, 11/03/2021 - 10:38

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Most of the time, I ask my husband for advice because he is a wise man and I trust his opinion.
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Submitted by Jack Milgram on Thu, 18/02/2021 - 08:46

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Oh, well, usually I ask my best friend for advice because only he can talk some sense into me. And my mom is always ready to help me with cooking issues if I have them (I mean, I definitely have).

Submitted by German on Thu, 11/02/2021 - 01:14

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I generally ask for advice to my friends or to my parents. Sometimes it's depend on the kind of the problem or situation in which I´m.
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Submitted by Hennadii on Mon, 11/01/2021 - 10:35

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Well, it depends on what kind of advice I need. I have lots of friends who are good at different themes. Some of them can help me with my job, some know much about the law or car repairment or so. My best friend helped me a lot when I renovated my flat. I just can imagine how could I cope without his advices. I think it's good quality - to understand your weakness and ask for help someone much experienced or skilled. Of course, I'm also ready to give advice when it needed. I - which is much important - don't give any advice if I wasn't asked )) Yeap, that's my superpower!

Submitted by fariba on Sun, 10/01/2021 - 08:24

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i ask advice of my parent and my sister for my problems.

Submitted by fariba on Sun, 10/01/2021 - 08:22

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i give advice many times.
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Submitted by Riza on Tue, 05/01/2021 - 08:36

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Most of the time when I got a problem or doubt about something I'd ask my parents or brother. I rely on them at any situations and sure that they might help me to overcome any difficulties.

Submitted by Dawn19 on Thu, 26/11/2020 - 13:30

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When I'm buzzeld in my job, I usually ask my boss. In my private life I ask my husband because he agrees with me :). It's a joke! He, my husband, usually give me an other point of view and it helps solving the problem.