Giving Advice Using Modals

Modals express necessity, uncertainty, ability, or permission. We often use modals when giving advice and making suggestions and recommendations.

Some common phrases used when giving advice are:

Different modals represent different levels of authority or power. Very authoritative modals represent a strong suggestion or even a command. The least authoritative modals represent a weak suggestion and are less commanding.

Pretend you have a close friend who is having marriage problems and you want to encourage her to go to a marriage counselor. There are many phrases you can use, some of which are listed below. Classify each sentence as either strong, moderate, or weak in its level of authority.

1.       _____strong________  Go to a marriage counselor.

2.       __________________  You could go to a marriage counselor.

3.       __________________ You should go to a marriage counselor.

4.       __________________ Why don’t you go to a marriage counselor?

5.       __________________ You have to go to a marriage counselor.

6.       __________________ You might try going to a marriage counselor.

7.       __________________ Why not go to a marriage counselor?

8.       __________________ You’d better go to a marriage counselor.

Have you ever heard of advice columns in newspapers?  When giving advice, you often need to use modals to demonstrate the strength of your suggestions and recommendations. Read the funny example of an advice column below, which was originally titled:  “Why Men Shouldn’t Be Adivice Columnists.”

Dear John,    I hope you can help me. The other day, I set off for work, leaving my husband in the house watching TV. My car stalled, and then it broke down about a mile down the road, and I had to walk back to get my husband’s help. When I got home, I couldn’t believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor’s daughter!    I am 32, my husband is 34, and the neighbor’s daughter is 19. We have been married for 10 years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted they have been having an affair for the past six months. He won’t go to counseling, and I’m afraid I am a wreck and need advice urgently. Can you help me please?    Sincerely, Sheila

Dear Sheila,    A car stalling after being driven a very short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the injectors.    I hope this helps,    John

Could you have given Sheila better advice? On a separate sheet of paper, try to come up with suggestions for these people who need your help:

1. My mother-in-law has been living at my house for over six months. She doesn’t have a job and sits on the couch all day eating bonbons. She doesn’t clean or cook, and she’s not very nice. I think she has overstayed her welcome. What should I do?

2. My best friend gave me a bright purple leather jacket for my birthday. It has a skull and crossbones on the back and it glows in the dark. I hate it. She keeps asking me if I like it and when I’m going to wear it. What can I tell her?

3. My roommate keeps asking to borrow my toothbrush. I’ve said no repeatedly, but I think she’s using it anyway to clean her hamster’s cage. What should I do?

4. Tomorrow I have a really great job interview that I’m so excited about. It’s for a Russian language specialist — I’ll be translating documents from Russian to English. Really well paid! The only problem is I don’t speak any Russian. What can I say during the interview to fool the recruiter?

5. This month my credit card bill is really high. I had so many things to buy: my 100th pair of shoes, new clothes, extra-high thread-count sheets for my dog, and a new diamond-studded toothbrush. How can I cut back on my spending?

6. My wife is a terrible cook — I mean the worst. We haven’t had anything good to eat since we got married, but she tries so hard. What should I do? Doesn’t a husband have a right to a decent meal? My mother was a great cook!

7. My girlfriend went to the hair salon today for a haircut. The salon accidentally dyed her hair BRIGHT PINK. It looks awful, and she’s so upset. What can I say to make her feel better?