What Is Giving Advice in English?
Giving advice is one of the most common and important functions in the English language. Every day, we tell friends what they should do, warn colleagues about potential problems, and suggest solutions to people who ask for help. English offers a rich variety of structures for giving advice, each carrying a different level of strength, urgency, and formality. Mastering these structures will allow you to sound natural, polite, and confident in any situation.
The three core modal structures for giving advice are should, ought to, and had better. Beyond these, English also provides a range of informal expressions such as Why don't you...?, If I were you, I would..., and How about...?. Each of these carries a unique shade of meaning. Should is the most general and neutral way to give advice. Ought to sounds slightly more formal and carries a sense of moral obligation. Had better is the strongest of the three and implies a warning — if you do not follow this advice, something bad will happen.
Understanding the differences between these structures is essential for choosing the right words at the right time. A doctor giving medical advice, a teacher guiding a student, and a friend suggesting a restaurant all use different levels of strength. By the end of this article, you will be able to give advice confidently in any context, from casual conversations to formal settings.
Think of advice structures on a scale from gentle to strong:
How about...? / Why don't you...? → gentle suggestion
Should / Ought to → general advice
Had better → strong warning with consequences
Must → obligation (not advice!)
Should — General Advice
Should is the most commonly used modal for giving advice in English. It is suitable for almost any situation — from casual conversations with friends to professional recommendations. When you say someone should do something, you are expressing your opinion about the best course of action. It is friendly, non-threatening, and works in both spoken and written English.
Subject + should + base verb
The verb after should is always in its base form (infinitive without "to"). Should does not change for different subjects — it is the same for I, you, he, she, it, we, and they.
| Use | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|
| General advice | You should drink more water. | You should get enough sleep every night. |
| Recommendations | You should try the new Italian restaurant. | You should read this book — it's amazing. |
| The right thing to do | You should apologise to her. | He should tell the truth about what happened. |
| Personal opinion | I think you should talk to your teacher. | I think she should take the job offer. |
| Health advice | You should see a doctor about that cough. | She should eat less sugar if she wants to feel better. |
| Study & work advice | You should study a little every day, not just before the exam. | They should start the project as soon as possible. |
Adding "I think" or "maybe" before should makes your advice sound softer and less direct:
"Maybe you should take a break."
"I think you should apply for that scholarship."
This is especially useful when giving advice to people you do not know well.
Ought to — Moral Obligation
Ought to has almost the same meaning as should, but it carries a slightly stronger sense of moral duty or expected behaviour. It suggests that the advice is based on what is generally considered the right or proper thing to do. In everyday conversation, should is far more common, but ought to appears frequently in formal writing, official advice, and situations where moral responsibility is involved.
Subject + ought to + base verb
Unlike should, ought to always includes "to" before the base verb. This is what makes it unique among modal verbs — most modals do not use "to".
| Situation | Example with Ought to | Same Meaning with Should |
|---|---|---|
| Moral duty | You ought to help your neighbours when they need it. | You should help your neighbours when they need it. |
| Expected behaviour | Students ought to respect their teachers. | Students should respect their teachers. |
| General recommendation | People ought to exercise regularly for good health. | People should exercise regularly for good health. |
| Social responsibility | We ought to recycle more to protect the environment. | We should recycle more to protect the environment. |
| Politeness & manners | You ought to thank her for the gift she gave you. | You should thank her for the gift she gave you. |
| Professional conduct | Doctors ought to listen carefully to their patients. | Doctors should listen carefully to their patients. |
In most everyday situations, should and ought to are interchangeable. However, ought to is slightly more formal and is often preferred when the advice involves moral or social expectations. In spoken English, should is used about 10 times more frequently than ought to.
Had Better — Strong Warning
Had better is significantly stronger than should or ought to. When you use had better, you are not just giving advice — you are giving a strong warning. There is an implied negative consequence if the advice is not followed. Think of it as saying: "Do this, or something bad will happen." Despite containing the word "had," this structure refers to the present or future, not the past.
Subject + had better + base verb
Subject + 'd better + base verb (contracted form)
The verb after had better is always in its base form (no "to"). In spoken English, had is almost always contracted to 'd.
| Example | Implied Consequence |
|---|---|
| You'd better hurry or you'll miss the bus. | If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus. |
| She'd better study harder for the final exam. | If she doesn't study harder, she might fail. |
| You'd better take an umbrella — it looks like rain. | If you don't, you'll get wet. |
| We'd better leave now if we want to arrive on time. | If we don't leave now, we'll be late. |
| He'd better apologise before it's too late. | If he doesn't apologise, he might lose the friendship. |
| You'd better save some money for the future. | If you don't save, you may face financial problems. |
Had better is NOT a polite way to give advice. It carries a sense of urgency and warning. Using it casually can sound threatening or bossy. Compare:
✔ You should wear a coat. (friendly advice)
⚠ You'd better wear a coat. (warning — or else!)
Use had better only when there is a real or implied negative consequence.
Even though had better contains the past tense word "had," it always refers to the present or future. There is no present form — we do not say "have better" or "has better." The contracted form 'd better is used in all persons: I'd better, you'd better, he'd better, we'd better, they'd better.
Negative Forms
To give negative advice — telling someone not to do something — we place not after the modal or after had better. Each structure has its own negative form, and some are more common than others in everyday English.
Should not / Shouldn't — the most common negative advice form:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| You shouldn't eat too much junk food. | It is not good for your health. |
| She shouldn't stay up so late on school nights. | She needs to get enough sleep. |
| You shouldn't worry so much about the interview. | It will be fine — try to relax. |
| They shouldn't leave their homework until the last minute. | It's better to finish it early. |
| He shouldn't drive so fast in the rain. | It is dangerous. |
| You shouldn't skip breakfast — it's the most important meal. | Eating breakfast is important for energy. |
Ought not to — formal and less common:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| You ought not to speak to your parents like that. | It is disrespectful. |
| People ought not to throw rubbish on the street. | It is wrong and harmful to the environment. |
| Students ought not to cheat on exams. | It is dishonest and against the rules. |
| We ought not to waste food when so many people are hungry. | It is a moral responsibility. |
| Drivers ought not to use their phones while driving. | It is extremely dangerous. |
| He ought not to make promises he cannot keep. | It damages trust. |
Had better not — strong warning (negative):
| Example | Implied Consequence |
|---|---|
| You'd better not be late for the meeting. | The boss will be angry if you are late. |
| She'd better not forget to bring her passport. | She won't be allowed to board the plane. |
| You'd better not touch that — it's very hot! | You will burn yourself. |
| We'd better not waste any more time. | We have a deadline to meet. |
| He'd better not lie to the teacher again. | He will get into serious trouble. |
| They'd better not park there — it's a no-parking zone. | Their car will be towed. |
Shouldn't is by far the most common negative advice form. You will hear it in almost every conversation.
Had better not is used when there is a real threat or danger.
Ought not to is rare in spoken English and sounds very formal — you are more likely to find it in written texts, official documents, or academic language.
Other Ways to Give Advice
Beyond modal verbs, English offers a variety of informal and semi-formal expressions for giving advice. These are especially useful in everyday conversations, and they often sound friendlier and less direct than should or had better. Using a mix of these expressions will make your English sound more natural and varied.
| Structure | Example | Formality |
|---|---|---|
| Why don't you...? | Why don't you take a few days off? | Informal — friendly suggestion |
| If I were you, I would... | If I were you, I would talk to the manager directly. | Neutral — personal opinion |
| You could always... | You could always try applying to other universities. | Informal — gentle option |
| How about + gerund? | How about going for a walk to clear your head? | Informal — casual suggestion |
| What about + gerund? | What about joining a language exchange group? | Informal — casual suggestion |
| Have you thought about + gerund? | Have you thought about learning a musical instrument? | Neutral — thoughtful suggestion |
Notice that we say "If I were you", not "If I was you." This is the subjunctive mood — it describes an unreal or hypothetical situation. Although "If I was you" is common in informal speech, "If I were you" is the grammatically correct form and is preferred in formal contexts and exams.
The greatest gift you can give someone is not a solution but a gentle word of guidance. Advice, when given with care, has the power to change lives.
— The Grammar GazetteExample Sentences
Asking for Advice
Knowing how to ask for advice is just as important as knowing how to give it. English provides several natural ways to request guidance from others. Some are direct and simple, while others are more polite and indirect. Choosing the right question depends on the situation and your relationship with the person you are asking.
| Question Structure | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|
| What should I do? | I failed my driving test again. What should I do? | Direct, general |
| Do you think I should...? | Do you think I should apply for the scholarship? | Polite, seeking opinion |
| What would you do if...? | What would you do if you were in my situation? | Indirect, hypothetical |
| Would you recommend...? | Would you recommend taking the morning flight or the evening one? | Formal, polite |
| What do you suggest? | I have two job offers. What do you suggest? | Neutral, open |
| Could you give me some advice about...? | Could you give me some advice about choosing a university? | Formal, respectful |
"What should I do?" is an open question — it invites a wide range of answers.
"Do you think I should...?" is a closed question — it expects a yes/no answer plus a brief explanation.
Use open questions when you want creative ideas and closed questions when you already have an option in mind and want someone's opinion about it.
Common Mistakes
Even advanced English learners make mistakes with advice structures. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them. Pay careful attention to the verb forms that follow each structure — this is where most mistakes happen.
✘ You should to go to the doctor.
✔ You should go to the doctor.
Should is followed by a base verb (no "to"). This is the most common mistake learners make.
✘ You had better to study for the exam.
✔ You had better study for the exam.
Had better is followed by a base verb (no "to"), just like should.
✘ You ought study harder.
✔ You ought to study harder.
Ought is the exception — it always needs "to" before the base verb.
✘ You'd better eat more vegetables. (general life advice)
✔ You should eat more vegetables. (general life advice)
Had better is for urgent, specific situations with consequences — not for general lifestyle recommendations.
Must expresses obligation and necessity — it means you have no choice. Should expresses advice — it means this is a good idea but you can choose differently.
You must stop at a red light. (obligation — it's the law)
You should drive carefully in the rain. (advice — it's a good idea)
Do not use must when you mean should, or your advice will sound like an order.
Should vs. Ought to vs. Had Better vs. Must
Understanding the differences between these four structures is the key to giving advice accurately in English. Each one carries a different level of strength, formality, and implication. Use this comprehensive comparison table as your guide:
| Feature | Should | Ought to | Had Better | Must |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Mild | Mild to medium | Strong | Very strong |
| Function | Advice, recommendation | Advice, moral duty | Warning with consequence | Obligation, necessity |
| Formality | Neutral | Slightly formal | Informal | Formal / authoritative |
| Consequence implied? | No | No | Yes | Yes (penalty / rule) |
| Verb form | base verb | to + base verb | base verb | base verb |
| Negative | shouldn't | ought not to | had better not | mustn't |
| Example (positive) | You should rest. | You ought to rest. | You'd better rest. | You must rest. |
| Example (negative) | You shouldn't work so hard. | You ought not to work so hard. | You'd better not work so hard. | You mustn't work without a break. |
| Best used for | Everyday advice | Moral / social expectations | Urgent situations | Rules & laws |
Ask yourself two questions before choosing:
1. Is there a real consequence if the person doesn't follow my advice?
If yes → use had better. If no → use should or ought to.
2. Am I giving advice or stating a rule?
If advice → use should / ought to / had better. If rule or obligation → use must.
Should + base verb → general, friendly advice (most common)
Ought to + base verb → similar to should, slightly more formal
Had better + base verb → strong warning with implied consequences
Must + base verb → obligation, NOT advice (do not confuse these!)
Why don't you...? / How about...? / If I were you... → informal alternatives