13 May 2024

Workshop: Share your dilemmas. Agony aunt





Agony aunt situations
Agony aunt language


DEAR AGONY AUNT


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Asking for Advice

  • What should I do ( about)…?
  • What do you think I should…?
  • Can/ could you give me some advice about…?
  • Do you have any advice on—?
  • Could you recommend…?
  • What do you suggest I do?
  • What ought I to do?


Giving advice

Present:
You should/shouldn’t…
You ought to/ought not to…
You had better/had better not…
If I were in your shoes/position, I would…
I’ll tell you what, why don’t you…?
What you can do is…
I suggest/recommend that you + infinitive – to
I suggest/recommend + gerund
Have you tried + gerund?
It’s vital that you…
You simply have to…

Past:
You should/shouldn’t have + past participle.
You ought (not) to have + past participle.




Expressions

Woah! That’s a tough one.
That’s a delicate/tricky situation.
A minefield.
You have to tread carefully.
Be subtle/tactful/diplomatic.
Bring it up casually.
Who is in the wrong?
Don’t think twice about + gerund (definitely do it)
Don’t even think about + gerund (definitely don’t do it)
Put your foot down.
Don’t take any crap/bullshit.

You have to nip this problem in the bud.
I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
It’s just a storm in a teacup.
It’ll blow over.
Don’t make any hasty/rash decisions.
You have to face the problem head on.
Put yourself in his/her shoes.
What would you do if the shoe was on the other foot?
Don’t put up with it.
Stay strong.
Go with your gut instinct.


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