Agony aunt situations
Agony aunt language
DEAR AGONY AUNT
blog
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…
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Past:
You should/shouldn’t have +
past participle.
You ought (not) to have +
past participle.
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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.
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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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