Giving advice refers to when we tell other people what we think could help them. The most common way to give advice is by using the modal verb 'should'. There are also other forms including, 'ought to' and 'had better' which are more formal. You can also use the second conditional to give advice.
There are a number of formulas used when giving advice in English. Here are some of the most common:
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You should see a doctor.
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I don't think you should work so hard.
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You ought to work less.
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You ought not to work so hard.
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If I were you, I'd work less.
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If I were in your position, I'd work less.
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If I were in your shoes, I'd work less.
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You had better work less.
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You shouldn't work so hard.
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Whatever you do, don't work so hard.
Formula Verb Form
I don't think you should work so hard. Use 'I don't think you should' the base form of the verb in a statement.
You ought to work less. Use 'You ought to' the base form of the verb in a statement.
You ought not to work so hard. Use 'You ought not to' the base form of the verb in a statement.
If I were you, Use 'If I were' 'you' OR 'in your position' OR 'your shoes,
If I were in your position, 'I wouldn't' OR 'I would' base form of the verb in a statement (A form of the conditional 2).
If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't
work so hard.
You had better work less. Use 'You had better' (you'd better) the base form of the verb in a statement.
You shouldn't OR You should work less. Use 'You should' OR 'You shouldn't' the base form of the verb in a statement.
Whatever you do, don't work so hard. Use 'Whatever you do' the imperative.
Using Should for Yes / No Questions and Responses
Should Subject Base Form Responses
of Verb Yes No
I
you
Should he / she / it take a different job? Yes, you should. No, you shouldn’t.
we Yes, she should. No, she shouldn’t
they
Using Should for Information Questions
Wh- Word Should Subject Base Form
of Verb
When I
Who should you
he / she / it call?
we
they
What should come next?
Who
Using Should, Ought to, and Had Better for Advice
a. Use should and ought to for general advice.
Examples:
1) You should assess yourself before you look for a job.
2) She ought to look for a new job.
b. Use had better (not) only for very strong advice and warnings. Had better (not) is much stronger than should or ought to. It suggests that something negative will happen if you don’t take the advice. We usually only use it in speaking.
Example: You had better finish this project, or you might lose your job!
c. Use should in questions. Ought to and had better are not common in questions.
Example: Should I ask about the salary at the interview?
d. Use maybe, perhaps, or I think to soften advice. These expressions usually go at the beginning of the sentence.
Examples: 1) Maybe you should be more careful when you write your résumé.
2) I think he ought to look for a different job.
e. You can also use probably to soften advice. It can go before or after should. It goes before ought to.
Examples: 1) She probably should take the job. / She should probably take the job.
2) She probably ought to take the job.
Obs: Research shows that people often make advice stronger by adding really.
Really can go before or after should / shouldn’t.
Example: You should really get advice from a career advisor.
When really goes before should / shouldn’t, it is stronger.
Example: You really shouldn’t quit your job before you’ve found another one.
Really goes before ought to and had better.
Examples: 1) You really had better try to keep your current job.
2) You really ought to update your résumé.