In this unit, you’ll be looking at how to use modals and modal-like expressions to communicate various meanings. This lesson will focus on using them to give advice and make suggestions.
Modals
Modals are a very common way of expressing advice. The most common modals used in this way are should, ought to, and had better.
Should
Should is used to express that an action or idea is a good idea.
- Paul really should talk to Mayra. She knows more about this issue than anyone else. (good idea)
- Your bags and personal belongings shouldn’t be left here; they may be stolen. (bad idea)
Ought to
Ought to has the same meaning as should, but it can sound more formal.
- There ought to be more attention paid to the needs of the city’s homeless population. (good idea)
- Nalya ought not to use her phone so much. It’s bad for her eyes. (bad idea)
This negative form can also be contracted into oughtn’t, but it is an older expression and is not used as commonly as it was in the past.
- One oughtn’t drink too much at a wedding because it’s impolite and could be embarrassing.
Had better
This modal also expresses advice, but it has a stronger and more urgent feeling. It is often used as a warning of a bad result if the advice or suggestion is not taken.
- If the media truly wants to understand what Indigenous people want, they had better listen to them when they speak. (good idea)
- You had better not go in there right now; they’re having a private conversation. (bad idea)
Verbs of Advice
Certain verbs can also be used to express advice. The most commonly used verbs of advice are advise, suggest, and recommend.
These three verbs have generally similar meanings, but there are a few differences in register and use.
- Advise is the most formal and is most often used in letters or with subjects that have some kind of authority like ‘doctor’ or ‘teacher’.
- Suggest is more informal and expresses ideas or opinions.
- Recommend is more personal and is used to give advice based on the subject’s personal experience.
Despite their similar meanings, advise, suggest, and recommend can be difficult to use because they all have a few different sentence patterns that vary in use depending on what is being suggested.
Followed by a gerund
When an activity is being suggested, advise, suggest, and recommend are followed by a gerund phrase.
- I advise taking time to outline a piece of writing before you actually start writing.
- It finally stopped raining, so I suggested going for a walk.
- I recommend wearing good hiking boots for that trail.
You can also form a negative by adding not before the gerund phrase.
- I suggest not leaving your homework to the last minute next time.
Followed by a noun object
When you want to suggest a place or a thing, advise, suggest, and recommend are all followed by a noun object.
- My doctor advised regular exercise to help with my mental health.
- My English tutor suggests this book for studying grammar.
- I recommend that Japanese restaurant next to your office. The food is delicious!
Focusing on who is being advised
When we want to focus on who is being advised, we can follow the verb advise with a noun or pronoun referring to a person/people and an infinitive phrase. Note that this pattern is not possible with either suggest or recommend.
- I advise you to take time to outline a piece of writing before you actually start writing.
- My doctor advised me to exercise regularly to help with my mental health.
Remember that the negative is formed by adding not to the infinitive phrase.
- The airline advises passengers not to come to the airport without checking weather conditions first.
Second Conditional (If I were you, I would… )
The second conditional expression if I were you, I would… is often used to start sentences that give advice. The person is trying to express what they would do in a similar situation.
- If I were you, I would ask for a promotion. You deserve it!
- I would think about doing some more research about the topic if I were her.
Other Expressions
Worth + gerund
This expression is used to show that taking a particular action is a good idea. It is used with a gerund.
- It’s definitely worth coming to campus early. That way you can find your classes and not be late.
- The documentary is worth watching if you are interested in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.
Not worth / no point + gerund
Not worth and no point (in) can be used to express that an action isn't a good idea.
- It’s not worth protesting; no one ever listens, and nothing ever changes.
- There’s no point in going now. We would miss the first part of the movie.