Let’s have practice in writing advice letters
These expressions to advise may be useful in writing advice letters.
I strongly recommend that …
I believe the best course of an action is …
If I were you I would …
I would suggest that …
Why don’t you …
It would be a good idea to …
The best advice I can give you is …
What you should do is …
I think …
I really think you need to/must/should …
How about …?
It is usually a good idea to …
My suggestion/advice is (to) …
Why don’t you …?
You could try …
You probably/definitely/really should …
Have you tried …?
I would (strongly) suggest/advise that …
If I were you, I’d …
In my experience, … works really well …
It’s generally best/a good idea to …
One idea is to …
One thing you could/should/have to do is …
The best/most important thing (to do) is to … /… might work / … would probably work /… (always) works for me …
If I was/were in your place, I’d …
If that happened to me …
In that case …
If I had that problem, I’d …
My (main/personal) recommendation is/would be …
You’d better …
In this (kind of) situation …
I (would) always recommend/advise …
If I were in that (that kind of) situation, I’d …
Have you thought about …?
If it were me, I’d …
Make sure you (don’t) …
The sooner you … the better.
Whatever you do, …
Your only option is to …
You have no choice but to …
… is worth a try/trying …
A (self-help) book I read recommends …
A piece of advice from … that I’d like to pass on is to …
A wise man once said …
As the proverb says, …
I can’t recommend … strongly enough.
You should …, no doubt about it.
It might be an old wives’ tale, but …
Sample
Dear Katia,
Thanks for your last letter. It looks like you’re very anxious about your school leaving exam. Don’t worry so much, you still have two months to revise all the material. You’ve always been a good student and I’m sure you’ve already started preparing for the examination.
But don’t forget that if you want to study effectively, you must be relaxed. You should get enough sleep so do not stay up late. It’s a good idea to have short breaks in studying and to go for a walk or listen to some nice music.
What you eat is also important. You should include a lot of fruit and vegetables to your everyday diet. When you feel tired, try eating some chocolate – it has good influence on your mood. And do not drink too much coffee. It makes you feel more stimulated but caffeine is harfmul to your health.
And remember that you shouldn’t study all days long. Meet with friends from time to time and go to the cinema or to the disco.
I hope my advice will help you a bit. I’m sure you’ll pass the exam with excellent results. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
Good luck!
Lots of love,
Jane
Situations for Writing
1. Ask for a piece of advice on some of the following:
- how to tell you roommate to tidy the room on regular basis
- how to persuade parents to accept your vegetarianism
- what to do on your first trip abroad
- what to put on for a job interview
- how to ask for salary raise
- what laptop to buy
- what present from abroad to buy
- how to improve the foreign language skills
- how to spend the money won in the competition
- about your first travel abroad
- what to do if you are bullied at school
- on the first day at the university
- on organizing an event (a prom, an anniversary, etc)
- on living with a host family
2. You want to spend a two week holiday in your friend’s region. Write a letter asking for information and advice. In your letter:
- ask how to find somewhere to stay;
- ask for advice about what to do there;
- ask about what clothes to bring along.
3. You have been noticing that your friend is getting a computer addict. You value your friendship very much. Write a letter to a psychologist. In your letter
- describe your friend’s everyday actions
- explain why you think he/she needs a professional help
- ask how to persuade your friend to make an appointment with a psychologist
4. You will move to a new city for work. You know some people who live there.
- ask them for help finding accommodation
- tell them where you would like to live
- tell them about a type of place you are looking for
5. Your friend has been studying abroad for quite a long time. Write him/her a letter. In your letter
- tell him/her when and where your study program starts;
- ask about pros and cons of accommodation (host family/dormitory/rented flat);
- which things to take with you for the first time of staying abroad.
6. Your friend has recently left to study abroad at one of the most prestigious university. Write him/her a letter. In your letter
- ask him/her about different study programs for foreign students
- necessary exams and how to prepare for them
- the procedure of obtaining a foreign passport and visa
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