Як радити англійською

Imagine that your friend has a problem and you know how to help him/her. But that friend doesn’t understand Ukrainian and Russian! So what should you do?

Here’s what: you should learn how to give advice in English!

Phrases for giving advice:

• I think you should (do something) – Думаю, тобі варто
• You shouldn’t (do this) – Не варто робити цього
• Why don't you (call him)…? – А чому б тобі не…?
• You might try (doing something) – Можеш мпробувати зробити щось
• My advice would be (to do something) – Моя порада – зроби щось
• How about (asking for help) …? – А як на рахунок..?
• If I were you, I would (do something) – На твоєму місці я б…
• You definitely should (do this) – Тобі точно варто...
• (doing this) might work – (Це) може спрацювати
• Have you tried (doing this)? – А ти пробував (це)?
• It's a good idea to… - Непогана ідея зробити щось
• I would recommend you to … - Я би порадив щось
• (something) is worth a try – Варто спробувати (це).
• The sooner you (do something), the better. – Чим швидше зробиш (щось), тим краще.
• Your only option is to… - Твій єдиний вибір – зробити щось

Please don’t forget that advice is uncountable. We can’t say “She gave me good advices”. If we want to make “advice” countable, we say “a piece of advice”.

Here's some slang to help you along:

• DOA = a dose of advice
•  Dutch uncle – a person who always gives advice
• Advicehole – a person who asks for advice but doesn’t follow it at all
• Advice cookie – a fortune cookie with advice in it
• Drunkvice – drunk advice (when a drunk person gives you advice)
• Get advised – get drunk
• Back seat driver – someone who gives unnecessary and unwanted advice
• Give a bum steer – give bad advice