1. Basic advice structures
You should take a holiday.
You ought to phone the police.
Why don’t you have a rest?
You’d better speak to your father about it.
If I were you, I’d look for a job.

2. Reporting advice
I advised him to take a holiday.
I suggested that he should phone/phoned the police.

3. Try + – ing
Why don’t you try ringing them up?
Have you tried writing to them?

4. Reasons for taking precautions
You should wash your hands before eating because they might have germs on them.
You should wash your hands before eating in case they have germs on them.
You should lock the car because otherwise someone might steal it.
You should lock the car so that no one steals it./In case someone steals it.

5. General advice structures
If you go sailing, you should always take weatherproof clothing.
It is good idea/best to check weather forecast before you set out.

Examples:

1. Give a suggestion to each of these people:
(a) I don’t seem to be able to lose weight.
(b) I can’t get to sleep at night.
(c) I am madly in love with Sita, but she won’t even look at me.
(d) My car won’t start.
(e) I missed my class.
Answers:
(a) I think you should go on dieting.
(b) You ought to do meditation regularly.
(c) You’d better write a letter to convince her.
(d) You’d better take it to a garage.
(e) You should write an application to the principal.

2. Give a piece of advice to these people:
(a) My wife has left me.
(b) I have lost my bank cheque book.
(c) We can’t control our 16 year old son.
(d) I can’t get to sleep at night.
(e) I’m madly in love with Maya, but she doesn’t even look at me.
Answers:
(a) You would go and call her back.
(b) You ought to inform the bank officials immediately.
(c) You should give him some responsibility of home.
(d) You had better take medicine.
(e) You had better make close relationship with her.

Exercises:

1. Give two different reasons for each of the following pieces of advice as given in the example. Use the words given:
Example: You should carry an umbrella when you go out in Britain (a) so that you don’t get wet. (b) in case you get wet.
(a) You ought to reserve a seat on the train.
(i) Otherwise (ii) in case
(b) It is Friday; you ought to go to the bank.
(i) So that (ii) otherwise
(c) You ought to take the gun with you.
(i) In case (ii) so that

2. Give suggestion to each of these people”
(a) I don’t seem to be able to lose weights.
(b) I don’t get to sleep at night.
(c) I am madly in love with Sita, but she won’t even look at me.
(d) My car won’t start.
(e) I missed my classes.