Task 1 vocabulary: Giving Advice

To give someone support or confidence to do something.

CELPIP tip Pattern: encourage + someone + to + verb. It sounds warm and supportive, which fits the friendly tone of Task 1.

To strongly advise someone to do something, often because it is important or urgent.

CELPIP tip Use it for your most important point. Save it for one key piece of advice so it keeps its strength.

To suggest a plan or idea for someone to consider.

CELPIP tip Slightly more formal than 'suggest'. Like 'suggest', use 'propose that you + base verb'.

To think carefully about something before making a decision.

CELPIP tip Follow with a gerund: 'consider moving', not 'consider to move'.

To treat something as more important than other things.

CELPIP tip Great for organizing advice: 'First, prioritize X. After that, focus on Y.'

To look carefully at something to learn about it or find options.

CELPIP tip "Explore your options" sounds thoughtful and is a natural way to open a piece of advice.

To make something bad less serious or harmful.

CELPIP tip Pair it with risk, impact or damage. It shows you can plan for problems, not just name them.

To make a pain, problem or worry less severe.

CELPIP tip Use it with stress, pressure, symptoms or a burden.

To think carefully about something for a long time before deciding.

CELPIP tip As a verb it ends in "-rate" like "late"; the adjective "deliberate" ends in a softer "-rət".

A classic way to give advice by imagining yourself in the other person's situation.

CELPIP tip Use 'were' (not 'was') for this hypothetical. Examiners notice correct second conditionals.

A polite, gentle way to suggest an action.

CELPIP tip Softens advice so you don't sound bossy. Good for variety alongside 'you should'.

A soft, indirect way to recommend an action.

CELPIP tip Mix it with stronger phrases so your response has a range of tones.

A question that introduces a suggestion in a friendly way.

CELPIP tip Follow with a gerund. Questions make your advice sound conversational and natural.

Used to introduce the most important point.

CELPIP tip A strong opener that signals clear organization to the examiner.

Used to add a further piece of advice.

CELPIP tip A smooth transition between your second and third points.

Used to introduce the final point while showing it's still important.

CELPIP tip Signals the end of your list of advice, which helps your structure score.

A polite way to say that something is the sensible thing to do.

CELPIP tip Lets you vary your advice so you don't repeat "you should" in every sentence.

A firm way to tell someone not to do something.

CELPIP tip Follow it with a noun or an -ing verb, never "to": advise against moving, not advise against to move.

A slightly formal way to say that something would be a good idea for someone.

CELPIP tip Followed by the base verb. It sounds mature and confident, a clear step up from "you should".

To investigate or research something.

CELPIP tip A very natural phrasal verb for the first step of any plan.

To consider something carefully before deciding.

CELPIP tip Separable: 'think it over' (the pronoun goes in the middle).

To understand or find a solution to something.

CELPIP tip Useful for describing the planning stage of your advice.

To deal with a problem or organize something.

CELPIP tip Informal and friendly, which suits advice to a friend or family member.

To choose something or decide to try it.

CELPIP tip 'Go for it!' is an encouraging way to end your response.

To delay doing something.

CELPIP tip Use 'hold off on + noun/gerund' to advise patience.

To contact someone, usually to ask for help or information.

CELPIP tip Good for suggesting the person ask others for support.

To reduce the amount of something.

CELPIP tip Three-part phrasal verb that sounds natural and fluent.

To avoid someone or something because it could cause trouble.

CELPIP tip A friendly way to warn someone. Follow it with a noun or an -ing verb.

To use a situation or strength to get the most benefit from it.

CELPIP tip Shows advanced range when you turn the listener's strength into a concrete next step.

Used to say that you are speaking from personal experience, so the listener should trust you.

CELPIP tip Pair with a quick personal story to make your advice more convincing.

Used to state the most important point, or that the final decision belongs to someone.

CELPIP tip Great for wrapping up your response respectfully.

Used to introduce your personal opinion.

CELPIP tip Introduces your main reason naturally before you give details.

Shows empathy before giving advice.

CELPIP tip Opening with empathy makes your response sound natural and caring, which examiners reward.

Over a long period of time; eventually.

CELPIP tip Helps you explain the future benefits of your advice.

A friendly way to close your advice.

CELPIP tip A clean, natural ending so your response doesn't stop abruptly.

A way to say that a choice is serious and needs careful thought.

CELPIP tip Shows empathy before you give advice, which makes your answer sound natural and caring.

Without any doubt; used to make advice stronger.

CELPIP tip Put it before the main verb: 'You should definitely ask...'

In the end; finally, after considering everything.

CELPIP tip Strong word for your concluding sentence.

Used to show you are being sincere.

CELPIP tip Adds a natural, personal tone. Don't overuse it, once is enough.

To think about the advantages and disadvantages before deciding.

CELPIP tip Works well near the start of your answer, before specific suggestions.

To wait until the next day before making a decision.

CELPIP tip Natural, friendly advice for big decisions.

It's wiser to be careful than to take a risk and regret it.

CELPIP tip Use it as a short follow-up to justify cautious advice.

Think carefully about possible results before acting.

CELPIP tip Best used once, followed by concrete steps.

Don't rely on only one plan or option.

CELPIP tip Perfect for advice about jobs, schools, or investments.

It's now your decision or responsibility to act.

CELPIP tip A natural closing line that respects the listener's choice.

To deal with a problem only when it actually happens, instead of worrying in advance.

CELPIP tip Use it to calm a friend who is worrying too much about the future.

To choose the safer option when you are not sure.

CELPIP tip A more advanced way to say "better safe than sorry", which is already in this list.

Having a good or helpful effect.

CELPIP tip A higher-level alternative to 'good'. Pattern: beneficial for/to someone.

Worth the time, money, or effort spent.

CELPIP tip Use it to justify why your advice is worth following.

Realistic and likely to work in real life.

CELPIP tip Great for comparing options: 'The more practical choice is...'

Fair, sensible, or not too expensive.

CELPIP tip Useful for talking about cost and expectations.

Possible to do in a practical way.

CELPIP tip Good for testing a plan inside your advice: "Is that feasible with your budget?"

Careful and sensible, especially about money or risk.

CELPIP tip More formal than "wise". Use it once to sound precise, not in every sentence.

Showing good judgement and careful thought.

CELPIP tip Rare in everyday speech, so use it once at most, ideally in your final recommendation.