Welcome to "Giving Advice and Making Suggestions"!

Have you ever wanted to help a friend solve a problem or share a great idea for a group project? To do this in English, we use a special group of "helper verbs" called Modal Verbs. In this chapter, we will learn how to use these words to give helpful advice and make polite suggestions using words like should, ought to, can, may, and the verb suggest.

Section 1: What are Modal Verbs?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly review what a modal verb is. Think of them as "mood" words. They are helper verbs that sit in front of an action verb to change its meaning. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first—just remember that modal verbs are like seasonings; they change the "flavor" of the action!

Prerequisite Tip: Most modal verbs follow a simple rule: Modal Verb + Base Verb.
Example: You can (modal) go (base verb).
We never say "can to go" or "can going." Keep it simple!

Key Takeaway:

Modal verbs help us express ideas like possibility, recommendations, or giving advice without sounding too bossy or demanding.

Section 2: Giving Advice with "Should" and "Ought to"

When someone has a problem or asks for your opinion on what to do, you give them advice. Advice tells someone what you think is the best, wisest, or most sensible choice.

1. Using "Should"

Should is the most common modal verb for giving advice. It means "it is a good idea to do this."

Pattern: Subject + should + base verb
Example: You look tired; you should go to bed earlier tonight.
Negative Advice: To advise someone against doing something, use should not (or shouldn't).
Example: You should not leave your revision until the night before the test.

2. Using "Ought to"

Ought to has the same meaning as should. It is slightly more formal and emphasizes what is right or sensible.

Pattern: Subject + ought to + base verb
Example: We ought to check the bus timetable before we leave.

Advice vs. Suggestion:

Advice (should / ought to): Points to the best or recommended solution to a problem.
Suggestion (can / may): Offers an open idea or optional possibility to choose from.

Section 3: Making Suggestions with "Can" and "May"

When we want to offer an idea or a possible plan, we often use can or may. These are great because they sound like you are offering an option rather than giving a strict command.

1. Using "Can"

We use can to make a general or informal suggestion. It’s like saying, "Here is one possible way to do it."

Example from your syllabus: The government can make better use of the land through better planning.

Everyday Example: We can study at the library after school if you are free.

2. Using "May"

We use may when we want to be more formal or extra polite. It is a very "soft" way to suggest something.

Example: The school may consider opening the computer lab during lunch breaks.

Did you know? Using may instead of can makes you sound very professional! It is often used in formal reports or when speaking to teachers and principals.

Quick Review:

 Use can for friends and everyday ideas.
 Use may for formal writing or being very polite.
Formula: Subject + can/may + base verb.

Section 4: Using the Verb "Suggest"

Sometimes, we don't use a modal verb; we use the verb suggest directly. This is a very clear way to offer an idea or proposal.

The "Suggest" Rule

Be careful! Suggest is a bit different from other verbs. We usually use it in two ways:

1. Suggest + -ing: I suggest going to the park.
2. Suggest + that: I suggest that we start our project early.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Never say "I suggest you to go." In English, we don't put "to" after suggest when followed by a person.
Wrong: I suggest you to eat more fruit.
Right: I suggest you eat more fruit.

Section 5: Advice and Suggestions in the Real World

Why do we learn this? Across your school subjects and daily interactions, you will often need to give advice and make suggestions based on facts.
Giving Advice (Science/Health): Teenagers should drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day.
Making Suggestions (Science): To save energy, we can turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Making Proposals (Geography/PSHE): We suggest that the city builds more parks to reduce pollution.

Quick Review Box

Should / Ought to: Giving advice; recommending the best course of action. (You should ask the teacher for help.)
Can: Informal/General suggestion; offering an option. (We can play football later.)
May: Formal/Polite suggestion. (The team may wish to practise more.)
Suggest: A direct verb to present an idea (use suggest + -ing or suggest that).
Important: No "to" after should, can, or may! Only ought takes "to".

Final Summary Takeaway

Giving advice and making suggestions is all about choosing the right language tool. Use should or ought to when advising someone on what is best to do, can for easy-going possibilities, may for formal settings, and suggest when you want to put forward a direct proposal. By using these correctly, you make your communication polite, persuasive, and clear!