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Learning English - The Flatmates

Language Point

Archive Language Point 31
Giving Advice

There are several different structures that you can use when giving advice

This is probably the most common of the structures for giving advice. After should, and its negative - shouldn't - we use the base form of the infinitive of the verb:

You should wise up
We shouldn’t cheat

It is common to use 'I think' and 'I don’t think' with should:
I think you should put the answers back
She doesn't think they should use them

This structure is common in spoken English and it is usually used in the contracted form. After had better, and its negative - had better not, we use the base form of the infinitive of the verb

You'd better return the answers to the lecturer
You'd better not tell anyone that you found them

This version of the second conditional is often used when giving advice, especially in spoken English. Note the use of were with I in the first clause.
In the second clause, we use would - contracted to d - and wouldn’t.
After would and wouldn’t, we use the base form of the infinitive of the verb:

If I were you, I’d give them back to the lecturer
If I were you, I wouldn’t use the answers

This is the most formal of the structures used for giving advice, and so it isn't so common.
After ought, and its negative - ought not (oughtn't), we use the full infinitive of the verb:

You ought to contact the police
You ought not to cheat in exams

you're kidding
you're joking. We use this expression when you don't believe what someone has said

wise up
stop being stupid. We often use this expression when we think someone is being naïve or too innocent about life

pass with flying colours
do very well in a test or exam

hand them in (idiom)
return them