Giving advice correctly is an essential skill in business, relationships, family matters, and more. Learn how to politely give advice with these great openers.
Have you ever been given unsolicited advice (that is advice you did not ask for) and it did not sit well with you? Maybe you took their advice negatively because of the way they said it to you? I know I have! Normally, that person has the best intentions but they just didn’t think about how their approach could come across as rude or condensing.
Well, I know you don’t want to be that person. Giving advice or feedback in a polite and still correct way all starts with how you approach the conversation.
Use these openers to give advice:
How about…? This is a great opener because it’s a question form so that the other person will have room to reflect and respond.
Example: How about you start to try walking every day for 30 minutes if weight loss is your goal?
Why don’t you…? Another great question to allow the other person to reflect positively.
Example: Why don’t you finish the emails every morning so that you don’t have to worry about them later?
You could try… Having the word “could” is great because it removes a condescending scenario.
Example: You could try studying for a couple of hours for the first week and see how you progress from there.
You probably… This one is a little stronger and so be careful with it!
Example: You probably have a bad reputation because you’re not careful with what you post on social media.
I think you need to… Letting the other person know that you “think” means that they are aware it is only your opinion.
Example: I think you need to start letting go of your emotions because its making you very stressed out.
It’s a good idea to… This opener is very “safe” and non-aggressive at all.
Example: It’s a good idea to start planning ahead so that you don’t get too busy at once.
You really should… This one can sound more aggressive, so be careful with it! Try to offer positive feedback afterwards.
Example: You really should go to this Supermarket instead! I know you like great deals and they have the best ones!
More tips for giving positive advice in English:
Make sure to keep the conversation light by offering positive feedback on what you like about the situation first.
If they don’t take your advice, simply change the subject of the conversation.
Time to practice!
Give these openers a try and practice them for a real-life situation!
