Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 2: Giving Advice & Warnings 🗣️💡⚠️
Objective: To learn and practice common English phrases for giving advice and warnings politely and effectively in various situations.
- Learn how to offer helpful suggestions or recommendations (advice).
- Learn how to alert someone to potential danger or negative consequences (warnings).
- Understand the difference in tone and urgency between advice and warnings.
- Practice using these functional phrases in relevant conversational contexts.
Sometimes people need guidance or a heads-up about potential problems. Knowing how to give advice constructively and how to warn someone appropriately are important communication skills. This lesson will help you learn common English phrases for these functions, ensuring your message is clear and well-received.
Phrases for Giving Advice
When you want to suggest what someone should do:
-
You should [verb]... (Common and direct) (e.g., ...see a doctor.)
-
You ought to [verb]... (Similar to 'should', slightly more formal)
-
If I were you, I would [verb]... (Giving advice based on your perspective)
-
Why don't you [verb]...? (Framed as a suggestion)
-
Have you thought about [verb-ing]...?
-
It might be a good idea to [verb]... (Softer advice)
-
My advice would be to [verb]...
Phrases for Giving Warnings
When you need to alert someone to potential danger or negative outcomes:
-
Be careful! / Watch out! / Look out! (For immediate danger)
-
You'd better [verb]... (Strong warning/advice) (e.g., ...leave now, or you'll be late.)
-
Make sure you [verb]... / Don't forget to [verb]... (To avoid a problem)
-
I wouldn't [verb] if I were you. (Warning against an action) (e.g., ...eat that if I were you.)
-
Be aware that... / Be careful of...
-
It's not a good idea to [verb]... (Softer warning)
Practice Dialogues
Read these dialogues. Notice how the speakers give advice and warnings. Practice with a partner.
Dialogue 1: Advising a friend about a cough
Sophea: I've had this bad cough for over a week now.
Rithy: Oh no! If I were you, I would see a doctor. It might be something more than just a cold.
Sophea: You think so? I was just hoping it would go away on its own.
Rithy: Well, you should at least get it checked out. And make sure you drink plenty of water.
Dialogue 2: Warning about a slippery floor
Worker A: I'm just going to quickly walk across this section of the floor.
Worker B: Watch out! They just mopped it, and it's very slippery.
Worker A: Oh, thanks for the warning! I almost didn't see the sign.
Worker B: No problem. You'd better walk around the other way to be safe.
Activity 1: What Would You Say?
Read the situation. How would you give advice or a warning? Click "Reveal Sample Response" for an example.
1. Your friend is planning to ride their moto to Kampot but hasn't checked their tires.
Your advice/warning:
2. Your colleague is thinking about investing all their savings in a new, unknown cryptocurrency.
Your advice/warning:
3. You see someone about to touch a hot pan without an oven mitt.
Your immediate warning:
Activity 2: Role-Play Scenarios
Work with a partner. Choose one of the scenarios below. Practice giving appropriate advice or warnings. The other person should react to the advice/warning.
- Scenario 1: Person A is feeling very stressed about their upcoming exams. Person B gives advice on how to manage stress.
- Scenario 2: Person A is planning to go swimming in a river known for strong currents. Person B warns them about the potential dangers.
- Scenario 3: Person A wants to buy a second-hand phone from an online seller they don't know. Person B gives advice and warnings about online scams.
- Consider the relationship: You might give advice more directly to a close friend than to a colleague or stranger.
- Be empathetic: When giving advice, show you understand their situation.
- Offer, don't impose: Advice is usually more welcome when it's offered as a suggestion, not an order. Let the other person decide.
- Be clear and specific with warnings: If there's a real danger, make sure your warning is understood. Don't be too vague.
- Tone of voice is important: Advice should sound helpful and supportive. Warnings, especially for immediate danger, should be firm and clear.
Summary: This lesson covered how to give advice (e.g., "You should...", "If I were you, I would...") and warnings (e.g., "Be careful!", "You'd better..."). Knowing how to use these phrases appropriately can help you support others and prevent problems, making you a more effective communicator in English.