What Would You Do? — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Introduction

A: Okay, I need your help. I got a job offer in another city. More money, but I’d have to move. What would you do?

B: Hmm. If I were you, I’d sleep on it. Don’t decide tonight.

A: Okay — what just happened there?

B: You asked for advice, and I suggested taking time before deciding. That’s today’s episode: how to ask for advice in English, and how to give it without sounding bossy.

A: Listen for these: What would you do?, If I were you, Sleep on it, Trust your gut, and It’s up to you.

B: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

A: So let’s start at the beginning. Before you get advice, you have to ask for it.

Asking for advice

B: Imagine this. You have a problem, and you want to talk to a friend or a coworker. But they’re busy. You don’t want to just start talking.

A: So I need a polite way to open the conversation.

B: Exactly. Try: Can I ask your advice? It tells the other person what kind of conversation this is.

A: “Hey, do you have a minute? Can I ask your advice about something?”

B: Perfect. You’ll also hear “Can I ask you for some advice?” Both are natural. Notice that “advice” is the noun here. We’ll talk about the mistakes people make with that word tomorrow.

A: Okay. They say yes. I explain my problem. Then what?

B: Then the simplest question: What should I do?

A: “My landlord wants to raise the rent again. What should I do?”

B: Good. It’s direct, and it’s very common. It sounds like you really don’t know the answer and you need help.

A: And the question from the start of the episode?

B: What would you do? This one is a little different. You’re not asking “what is the right answer.” You’re asking the other person to imagine they’re in your situation.

A: “If you were in my place, what would you do?”

B: Exactly. It’s softer, and people like it, because it’s about their experience. It’s also a great question when you already have two options and you can’t choose.

A: So “What should I do?” when I’m lost, and “What would you do?” when I’m choosing.

B: That’s a nice way to remember it — but in real life people use them both in the same situations.

Giving advice

A: Now let’s switch sides. Someone asks you for advice. What’s the most famous phrase?

B: Probably this one: If I were you, I’d… You put yourself in the other person’s place, and then you say what you’d do.

A: “If I were you, I’d talk to the landlord first.”

B: Great. Notice “were,” not “was.” In casual speech you’ll hear “If I was you” too, but “If I were you” is the standard form, and it’s the one to learn.

A: And after it, “I’d.” “I would.”

B: Yes. And when you’re choosing between options, try: I’d go for… It means “I would choose.” Someone shows you two apartments, and you say, “I’d go for the first one.”

A: “I’d go for the bigger one.” So I’m giving my choice, not an order.

B: Exactly. And you can explain why: “I’d go for the bigger one because I work from home.”

A: What about a suggestion that sounds like a question?

B: Why don’t you…? It looks like a question, but it’s really a suggestion.

A: “Why don’t you call her and ask?”

B: Perfect. Your friend doesn’t need to explain why not. It means “here’s an idea.” The friendly tone is important. You can also say “Why not call her?” — shorter, same idea.

A: And the classic word, “should”?

B: “You should” is a common way to give advice: “You should check the contract first.” A less direct option is: It might be worth… Follow it with an -ing verb. You’re saying an action could be useful.

A: “It might be worth checking the contract first.”

B: Exactly. Another option is “You might want to check the contract first.” Both can soften advice, but your tone and the situation still matter.

A: And one more soft one. When you want the other person to think about something new.

B: Have you thought about…? Then a noun or an -ing verb.

A: “Have you thought about working from home two days a week?”

B: Great. That one is very gentle. You’re not telling them what to do. You’re just opening a door. Sometimes the best advice is a good question.

A: And when there’s a real risk, and the person needs a warning?

B: You’d better… It means “it would be wise to do this, or there may be a problem.” “You’d better leave now, or you’ll miss the train.”

A: Stronger than a gentle suggestion. And “‘d” means “had” here: “You had better leave.”

B: Right. Use the base verb, without “to.” It can sound bossy, so save it for a warning when the situation calls for one.

A: Quick tip before we go on. Save these phrases in Recursio so you can review them later.

Big decisions

B: Now the bigger stuff. A new job, a new city, ending a relationship. People don’t want a quick answer. They need time.

A: Like my job offer at the start.

B: Right. That’s when you say: Sleep on it. It means “don’t decide now — wait until tomorrow and think again.”

A: “You don’t have to answer today. Sleep on it.”

B: And you can say it about yourself: “Can I sleep on it? I’ll let you know tomorrow.” That’s very useful when a salesperson is pushing you.

A: Okay. I slept on it. I made a list. I still don’t know.

B: Then maybe stop thinking so much. Trust your gut. Your “gut” is your stomach — and here, it means your feeling, your instinct.

A: “On paper, the new job is better. But something feels wrong.”

B: “Then trust your gut.” It’s informal, and very common. You may also hear “Go with your gut.”

A: And the last thing, when the decision is really theirs.

B: It’s up to you. It means “you decide.” It’s respectful — you gave your opinion, but the choice is theirs.

A: Is it ever rude?

B: It depends on the tone. With a warm voice, it’s supportive. Said fast, with a shrug, it can sound like “I don’t care.” So say it with a smile, and maybe add: “Whatever you decide, I’ll help.”

A: And when someone gives me advice, and it’s actually good?

B: Then you say: That’s a good point. It shows you’re listening, and you agree with part of what they said.

A: “That’s a good point. I didn’t think about the commute.”

B: Exactly. And if you only partly agree, add “but”: “That’s a good point, but the salary is much better.”

The job offer

A: Let’s hear these in action. It’s Thursday evening. We’re at a cafe after work, and I have news.

B: You look nervous. What’s going on?

A: I got a job offer. In Denver. It’s a bigger company, and the salary is about twenty percent higher.

B: That’s great! So why the face?

A: Because I’d have to move in January. My whole life is here. Can I ask your advice?

B: Of course.

A: What would you do?

B: Honestly? If I were you, I’d think about what you really want in five years. Not just the money.

A: I want to grow. My job here is easy, but I’m not learning anything.

B: Then why don’t you call them tomorrow and ask more questions? About the team, the work, the hours.

A: That’s a good point. I don’t really know what the job is like.

B: And have you thought about asking if you can start later? Maybe in March?

A: I didn’t know I could ask that.

B: It might be worth checking. They may be able to offer a later start date. When do they need an answer?

A: By Monday.

B: Then you have the weekend. Sleep on it. But you’d better reply by Monday, or they may offer the job to someone else.

A: And if I still don’t know on Monday?

B: Then trust your gut. It’s up to you — but whatever you decide, I’ll help you pack.

Monday morning

A: Let’s do one more short scene. It’s Monday morning, eight thirty. I call you before work.

B: Hi! Have you decided?

A: Hey. I took the weekend to think about it.

B: And?

A: I called them on Friday. The team sounds great, and they said I can start in March.

B: That’s good news. So what do you think?

A: My gut says yes. I’m a little scared, but it feels right.

B: Then I’d go for it. And you have time to say goodbye to everyone here.

A: That’s what I’m going to do. I’m emailing them at nine.

B: Good luck! And I’m still helping you pack.

Advice at work

A: What about giving advice to a manager? I can’t just say, “You should change the plan.”

B: You can — but it may sound too direct. At work, people often use the softer phrases from today. Let’s try it. I’m your manager. I want to move our big presentation to Friday afternoon.

A: Hmm. “Have you thought about Thursday? A lot of people leave early on Fridays.”

B: Very nice. You offered an alternative and gave a reason. You didn’t just tell me I was wrong.

A: And if I want to be a bit clearer?

B: Then: “It might be worth checking the calendar first. I think the sales team is out on Friday.”

A: So “it might be worth” plus an -ing verb and a reason.

B: Exactly. A reason makes advice sound helpful, not bossy. Now switch. A new coworker asks you, “What should I do on my first day?”

A: Easy. “If I were you, I’d say hello to everyone in the morning. And why don’t you have lunch with the team? It’s the best way to learn names.”

B: Great — two pieces of advice, both friendly. And with a new coworker, “You should” is fine too: “You should ask Maria about the printer. It’s a little complicated.”

A: What about when someone gives me advice at work, and I’m not sure?

B: Then you don’t need to say yes right away. “Thanks — let me sleep on it.” Or, “That’s a good point. Can I think about it and get back to you tomorrow?”

A: And if my manager asks me, “Which option do you prefer?” and I really don’t mind?

B: Careful there. “It’s up to you” can sound like you don’t care about the project. You could give a small opinion first: “Both work for me. I’d go for the first one, but I’m happy either way.”

A: That’s a good point. I didn’t think about that.

B: See? You’re using them already.

Advice by text

A: One last situation. A lot of advice happens by text message now.

B: True. Your friend texts you: “My sister wants to borrow a lot of money. I don’t want to say no. What should I do?”

A: Hmm. Okay: “Hard one. If I were you, I’d be honest. Maybe you could lend a smaller amount? But it’s up to you.”

B: That’s a great text. Advice, a softer idea, and then the decision goes back to her.

A: “Maybe you could” — that’s not on our list.

B: No, but it’s useful. “Maybe you could…” is another soft way to suggest something. It’s perfect in writing, because texts can sound colder than your voice.

A: And what does she text back?

B: Something like: “That’s a good point. I’ll sleep on it. Thanks!”

Practice

A: Now it’s your turn. Answer out loud in the pause, then listen to one possible answer. First one: you want to talk to a coworker about a problem. How do you start politely?

B: Can I ask your advice?

A: You can also say, “Can I ask you for some advice?”

B: You have two options and you can’t choose. How do you ask your friend to imagine your situation?

A: What would you do?

B: “What would you do?” — imagine you’re in my place.

A: Your friend is very tired all the time. How do you suggest seeing a doctor, starting with “If I were you”?

B: If I were you, I’d see a doctor.

A: “If I were you,” then “I’d” plus a verb.

B: Your friend wants to buy a car today, but he isn’t sure. How do you tell him to wait until tomorrow, using “sleep”?

A: Sleep on it.

B: “Sleep on it” — wait a night, then decide.

A: A coworker is going to sign a contract. How do you suggest checking it first, using “It might be worth”?

B: It might be worth checking it first.

A: “Worth” followed by an -ing verb: “checking.”

B: Your friend asks which restaurant to choose for her birthday. You really don’t mind. What do you say?

A: It’s up to you.

B: With a warm voice, it means “you decide.”

Outro

A: Now you can ask for advice, give it softly, help with big decisions, and agree when someone makes a good point.

B: Today’s twelve: Can I ask your advice?, What would you do?, If I were you, I’d…, I’d go for…, Why don’t you…?, It might be worth…, Have you thought about…?, You’d better…, Sleep on it, Trust your gut, It’s up to you, and That’s a good point.

A: Tomorrow, we’re fixing ten mistakes people make when they give advice — starting with “an advice.”

B: Until then, open the link below and practice today’s phrases in Recursio.

A: See you in the next one — and if I were you, I’d come back tomorrow!