Giving advice

In this video, Paul and Bob try to help Noelia with a problem. Listen to the language they use for giving advice and practise saying the useful phrases.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then watch the video and do the exercises to check your understanding and practise the language.

Transcript

Ana: Hi! I'm Ana. Welcome to What to Say

Do you know what to say when you give advice? Listen out for useful language for giving advice. Then, we'll practise saying the new phrases – after this.

 

Noelia: Argh, this is just ridiculous! 

Paul: Susan again? 

Noelia: Yeah, Susan. She just keeps emailing me about things that have nothing to do with work and nothing to do with me. What do you think I should do? 

Paul: Well, if I were you, I'd email and ask her to stop sending them.

Noelia: I'm not sure that's a good idea. I have to be careful what I say as she's quite an important client. 

Paul: Erm, I'm not sure then. Perhaps you could try talking to Yuna about it?

Bob: Er .. why don't you try doing nothing?

Noelia: Sorry? 

Bob: Perhaps you could just … do nothing? 

Noelia: Really? I'm not too sure about that.

Bob: Well, I remember this guy I used to work with, Mark, and he kept emailing again and again and again, about all sorts, mostly unrelated to work. Well, I kept responding politely and he kept sending them. In the end, I stopped replying to his emails unless they were only about work. 

Paul: And what happened? 

Bob: He stopped sending them. It's a bit like being faced with a dangerous snake. If you move quickly, it'll bite you, but if you keep very still and do nothing, eventually it'll move away and leave you alone. I had to learn the hard way. 

 

Noelia: Hey, Bob. Have you got a minute?

Bob: Yeah.

Noelia: So, I tried what you suggested and I only responded to Susan's emails about work for a few days. Then guess what?

Bob: The irrelevant emails stopped. 

Noelia: Yes! Now she only sends me work-related ones.

Bob: Well, that's very good news.

Noelia: All thanks to you, Bob.

Bob: Any time, Noelia, any time! All in a day's work. Ahh! 

 

Ana: Hello again! It looks like Bob is in Noelia's good books. So, did you notice the useful phrases used for giving advice? Listen to me and then repeat. 

 

What do you think I should do?

If I were you, I'd ask her.

I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Perhaps you could try talking to Yuna.

Why don't you try doing nothing?

I'm not too sure about that.

I tried what you suggested. 

 

Ana: Try and use some of these phrases the next time you give advice in English. Bye for now! 

Discussion

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Submitted by Toan3002 on Thu, 21/12/2023 - 02:22

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If I were you, I would ask the lecturer for advice about homework. Because it helps me understand the lesson better.

Submitted by Florence Ngugi on Wed, 13/09/2023 - 13:56

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I rarely do seek advice unless I'm going through a tough time and at that moment I usually turn to my closest sister who is our first sibling. She's always ready to give ears to what I say and offer advice which I normally find productive.

Submitted by Sonny Crockett on Thu, 01/06/2023 - 14:43

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Why is there a man in the video drinking milk with his lunch?

What kind of diet? Normal food diet?

When I was little, my parents taught me that milk was for breakfast. They always gave me good advice... at least when they were at home.

Submitted by khadija.mahmoud on Wed, 29/03/2023 - 19:47

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I usually seek advice from my dear friend Naja especially in social relations with my husband, mom and others

Submitted by Awa Diagne on Tue, 07/03/2023 - 22:05

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I use to ask advice from my closest friends

Submitted by farhadwahaj on Mon, 10/10/2022 - 07:35

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Asking someone for advice is related to the business where you need advice or assistance from your relatives and friends. I only share my problems with my one friend, and occasionally with family members. I recently had planned to start a business abroad, therefore, I called my friend and ask for his advice in this regard. I shared all the data I collected through a survey with him, and together we discussed the business cons and pros, in conclusion, we decided to not commence this business because there was more chance of loss than profit.

Submitted by Nandar Su Hlaing on Tue, 16/08/2022 - 16:00

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When I was young, I asked my mom to get advice. If I need advice later, firstly I searched on Google, and reading related news , if there is not enough I think, I asked the person who has past experience.