Workshop: Share your dilemmas. Agony aunt

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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.
English ExpressionSpanish Translation
  • Woah! That’s a tough one.
  • ¡Vaya! Eso es difícil.
  • That’s a delicate/tricky situation.
  • Es una situación delicada/difícil.
  • A minefield.
  • Un campo minado.
  • You have to tread carefully.
  • Tienes que actuar con cuidado.
  • Be subtle/tactful/diplomatic.
  • Sé sutil/táctico/diplomático.
  • Bring it up casually.
  • Menciónalo de manera casual.
  • Who is in the wrong?
  • ¿Quién tiene la culpa?
  • Don’t think twice about + gerund (definitely do it)
  • No lo dudes en + gerundio (hazlo sin pensarlo).
  • Don’t even think about + gerund (definitely don’t do it)
  • Ni se te ocurra + gerundio (definitivamente no lo hagas).
  • Put your foot down.
  • Pon límites. / Haz valer tu autoridad.
  • Don’t take any crap/bullshit.
  • No te dejes pisotear. / No aceptes tonterías.
  • You have to nip this problem in the bud.
  • Tienes que cortar este problema de raíz.
  • I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.
  • Creo que estás haciendo una montaña de un grano de arena.
  • It’s just a storm in a teacup.
  • Es solo una tormenta en un vaso de agua.
  • It’ll blow over.
  • Pasará pronto. / Se calmará.
  • Don’t make any hasty/rash decisions.
  • No tomes decisiones precipitadas.
  • You have to face the problem head on.
  • Tienes que enfrentar el problema de frente.
  • Put yourself in his/her shoes.
  • Ponte en su lugar.
  • What would you do if the shoe was on the other foot?
  • ¿Qué harías si las tornas estuvieran cambiadas?
  • Don’t put up with it.
  • No lo toleres.
  • Stay strong.
  • Mantente fuerte.
  • Go with your gut instinct.
  • Sigue tu instinto.

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