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Thread: Giving a piece of advice

  1. #1
    kl004535 is offline Junior Member
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    Smile Giving a piece of advice

    Dear teachers,

    Could you tell me the difference between the two sentences below giving some advice ?

    1. You should pay more attention to your appearance.
    2. You should have paid more attention to your appearance.

    I know both advice-giving sentences above are correct, but I wonder what the difference is in advice-giving sense.

    I am much obliged to you for your help.(newly-learned)

    Thanks
    Last edited by kl004535; 24-Feb-2010 at 06:31.

  2. #2
    2006 is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Giving a piece of advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kl004535 View Post
    Dear teachers,

    Could you tell me the difference between the two sentences below giving some advice ?

    1. You should pay more attention to your appearance. refers to the present or future
    2. You should have paid more attention to your appearance. refers to the past

    I know both advice-giving sentences above are correct, but I wonder what the difference is.

    I am much obliged to you for your help.(newly-learned)

    Thanks
    2006
    kl004535 likes this.

  3. #3
    kl004535 is offline Junior Member
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    Smile Re: Giving a piece of advice

    However, when I give some advice, they are definitely for the present or future because I want you to be good in the present or future, not the past. So, why do I still have to say:

    You should have paid attention to your appearance.
    (refer to the past)

    Thanks.

  4. #4
    2006 is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Giving a piece of advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kl004535 View Post
    However, when I give some advice, they are definitely for the present or future because I want you to be good in the present or future, not the past. So, why do I still have to say:

    You should have paid attention to your appearance. This is primarily a criticism of past behavior. It is not direct advice, but it does indirectly suggest what you should do in the future.

    (refer to the past)

    Thanks.
    2006
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  5. #5
    amigos4's Avatar
    amigos4 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: Giving a piece of advice

    Quote Originally Posted by kl004535 View Post
    However, when I give some advice, they are definitely for the present or future because I want you to be good in the present or future, not the past. So, why do I still have to say:

    You should have paid attention to your appearance.
    (refer to the past)

    Thanks.
    I am not surprised that you were not hired! You should have paid more attention to your appearance!
    kl004535 likes this.

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