Asking for, Giving, and Responding to Advice in English

Hello English learners! Asking for, giving, and responding to advice in English is an important communication skill. In this lesson, you will learn useful phrases and natural examples that will help you sound more polite, confident, and fluent in everyday conversations and Cambridge exam speaking tasks.

We all need advice from time to time. Sometimes we ask a friend what to do, sometimes we give advice to a colleague, and sometimes we politely accept — or reject — what someone suggests.

That is why learning how to ask for, give, and respond to advice in English is so useful. These expressions appear in everyday conversations, workplace situations, and exam speaking tasks. They help you sound more natural, polite, and confident.

In this lesson, you will learn useful English phrases for:

• asking for advice
• giving advice
• responding to advice politely

Let’s take a look.

Asking for advice

When you want someone’s opinion or recommendation, you can use one of these common phrases.

Useful phrases for asking for advice

What do you think I should do?

• I’m thinking of buying a new car. What do you think I should do?
• Mike has asked me out, but I have to revise for an exam. What do you think I should do?

Can I ask your opinion about something?

• Can I ask your opinion about something? I’m thinking of studying abroad.
• Can I ask your advice about something personal?

Do you think it’s a good idea?

• I’m thinking of changing jobs. Do you think it’s a good idea?
• I want to move to a bigger flat. Do you think that’s a good idea?

Do you think I should…?

• I think someone is trying to break into a car in the car park. Do you think I should call the police?
• Do you think I should speak to my manager about it?

What do you recommend?

• I’m looking for a new place to live. What do you recommend — a flat or a house?
• What do you recommend for someone learning English at home?

What do you advise me to do?

• I’ve noticed that my son is spending far too much time on the computer. As a psychologist, what do you advise me to do?
• My back has been hurting for weeks. What do you advise me to do?

I’d appreciate your advice on this.

• I’d appreciate your advice on this issue.
• I’d really appreciate your advice on how to handle the situation.

Have you got any ideas or suggestions?

• Have you got any ideas or suggestions?
• I’m not sure what to do next. Have you got any suggestions?

What would you do in my position?

• What would you do in my position?
• If this happened to you, what would you do?

Giving advice

When someone asks for help, there are many ways to give advice in English. Some are direct, some are gentler, and some are more polite.

Useful phrases for giving advice

I think you should…

• I think you should rent a house. That way, you’d have more space and a garden.
• I think you should talk to her honestly.

You should…

• You should go to the doctor first thing in the morning.
• You should get some rest.

If I were you, I would / wouldn’t…

• If I were you, I’d study abroad. It’s a wonderful experience.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t spend so much money on it.

If I were in your shoes, I would…

• If I were in your shoes, I’d speak to your son openly about his computer use.
• If I were in your shoes, I’d wait a few days before making a decision.

I would recommend / suggest…

• I’d recommend going to the theatre instead of the cinema. There’s a brilliant play on at the moment.
• I’d suggest taking a short break and thinking about it calmly.

You’d better…

• You’d better get your tooth fixed before it gets worse.
• You’d better leave now if you want to catch the train.

Why don’t you…?

• Why don’t you go home and do your housework, and then we can meet later?
• Why don’t you ask your teacher for help?

How about / What about…?

• How about having lunch before we go to the gym?
• What about taking a few days off?

The best thing to do is to…

• The best thing to do is to stop smoking.
• The best thing to do is to apologise and move on.

Maybe you should…

• Maybe you should try to lose a bit of weight.
• Maybe you should give it another chance.

What you need is…

• What you need is a good massage.
• What you need is a proper holiday.

Have you thought about…?

• Have you thought about taking a gap year and travelling?
• Have you thought about finding a part-time job?

Responding to advice

When someone gives you advice, you may want to accept it, react positively, or reject it politely.

Accepting advice

Here are some natural ways to accept advice:

Thanks, I’ll take your advice.

I think you’re right. I’ll do that.

That’s a good idea.

That sounds like a great idea.

You’re probably right.

I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks.

Examples

• Thanks, I’ll take your advice.
• I think you’re right. I’ll speak to him tomorrow.
• That sounds like a really good idea.
• You’re probably right — I do need to slow down a bit.

Rejecting advice politely

Of course, you do not always have to follow someone’s advice. The important thing is to respond politely.

Useful phrases for rejecting advice

No, I don’t think so.

I see your point, but…

I’m not sure that’s a good idea.

I’m not sure about that, but let me think it over.

I doubt that would work.

I’d rather not, to be honest.

Examples

• No, I don’t think so. I’d prefer to wait a bit longer.
• I see your point, but I think I need to make my own decision.
• I’m not sure that’s a good idea in this case.
• I’m not sure about that, but let me think it over.
• I doubt that would work for me.
• I’d rather not do that, to be honest.

A useful note on politeness

When giving advice, it is often better to sound gentle rather than too direct. Compare these:

• Stop eating so much sugar.
• Maybe you should cut down on sugar.

The second version sounds much more polite and natural.

In English, advice is often softened with phrases like:

• maybe
• perhaps
• I think
• if I were you
• have you thought about…?

These make your English sound friendlier and more tactful.

Final thoughts on asking for, giving and responding to advice

Knowing how to ask for, give, and respond to advice in English is an important part of everyday communication. These phrases will help you in conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and teachers, and they are also very useful for speaking exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced.

Try to learn a few expressions from each section and use them in your own sentences. That is the best way to remember them and start using them naturally.

FAQ 

How do you ask for advice in English?
You can ask for advice in English with phrases such as What do you think I should do?, Can I ask your advice about something?, and What would you do in my position?

How do you give advice politely in English?
You can give advice politely by saying I think you should…, If I were you…, Why don’t you… ?, or Have you thought about… ?

How do you respond to advice in English?
You can respond by accepting it, for example That sounds like a good idea, or by rejecting it politely, for example I see your point, but…

Is this topic useful for Cambridge exams?
Yes, asking for, giving, and responding to advice is very useful for B2 First and C1 Advanced speaking tasks.