Giving advice

Asking for and Giving advice

Expressions

Asking for advice:
I've got a bad toothache. What do you suggest?
What do you advise me to do?
What should I do?
What ought I to do?
What's your advice?
If you were me what would you do?

Giving advice

If I were you, I would go to the dentist.
Why don't you go to the dentist?
You'd better brush your teeth regularly.
You ought to/should avoid eating sweets.
If you take my advice, you'll go to the dentist.
It might be a good idea to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
I advise you to brush your teeth on a regular basis.
Have you thought about seeing a dentist.

Declining to give advice
I don't know what to advise, I'm afraid.
I wish I could suggest something, but I can't.
I wish I could help.
I'm afraid I can't really help you.
Things to remember about asking for and giving advice:

1. "Advise" is a verb.
Example:
"I advise you to learn English. You will undoubtedly need it in your higher studies"

2. "Advice" is a noun.
Example:
"My father gave me this piece of advice when I was young: never give up"

3. "Ought to" has nearly the same meaning as "should". The only difference is that "ought to " refers to a moral or external obligation but should is more of an advice.
Example:
"You ought to stop smoking."
"You should stop smoking."

4. "You'd better" is the short form of "you had better"
Example:
"You'd better see a doctor!" = "You had better see the doctor"

Study the dialogue:

Student: I'm terrible at English and I think I should do something about it. What do you advise me to do?
Teacher: I think you should try this website. It's a fantastic website for beginners.
Student: I've heard about it, but what do you think I should start with?
Teacher: You'd better start with the lessons.Then, try the exercises.