Giving advice
February 19th, 2015 in English for children
Use If I were you… to say what you would do under the given circumstances. After if I were you…, use would + infinitive.
- If I were you, I would accept that job.
- If I were you, I wouldn’t quit my job.
- If I were you, I would get that lump examined.
- If I were you, I wouldn’t let this happen.
- If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.
- If I were you, I would invest that money in real estate.
- If I were you, I wouldn’t pocket this insult.
To talk about the past, use would have + past participle after If I were you…
Compare:
- If I were you, I would call the police. (Here the speaker is advising the listener to call the police because that is what he / she would do in such a situation.)
- If I were you, I would have called the police. (Here the hearer didn’t call the police, but the speaker says that that is what he would have done in such a situation.)
To give strong advice, use You had better…
- You had better consult a doctor.
- You had better study harder.
- You had better brush your teeth regularly.
- You had better acquire some computer skills.
- You had better get some rest.
- You had better get that tooth extracted.
Another phrase you can use to give advice is Why don’t you…?
- Why don’t you apply for that job?
- Why don’t you see a doctor?
- Why don’t you pay your tax?
- Why don’t you ask for a raise?