What happens in the video
Theo can't decide between bigger or smaller and asks, "What should I do?" Hana tells him to make it medium and invoice them both, and Theo checks: "So medium, but twice the money?" Then he tries a better question, "Okay, Hana. What would you do in my place?", and Hana answers with her own idea: pick the blue one, then blame the red pencil.
1 What do you suggest?
Tone Polite and open
Use it with a boss, client, or colleague when you want their idea and you're open to it. It's a little formal for a close friend, but it still works there.
Griff, what do you suggest?
For example:
A: The client wants the report by Friday, but the data won't be ready.
B: Hmm. That's a problem.
A: What do you suggest?
B: Send a short version Friday and the full one next week.
2 What would you do?
Tone Friendly and personal
Ask a friend you trust when you want their personal opinion, not an official answer. Avoid it in formal situations where the other person can't really put themselves in your position.
What would you do, Holiness?
For example:
A: I got two job offers. One pays more, the other is closer to home.
B: Both sound good.
A: What would you do?
B: Honestly, I'd take the one closer to home.
3 What's my next move?
Tone Bold and focused
Here, move means your next step, like in a game. Use it when you're ready to act and want a plan. It sounds too casual for a sad or serious personal moment.
Well, what's my next move?
For example:
A: I sent my application and had the first interview.
B: Nice. They liked you.
A: So what's my next move?
B: Send a thank-you email today.
4 What would you recommend?
Tone Polite and professional
Use it with someone who has more experience, such as a manager, a shop assistant, or a waiter. It asks for their expert choice. With a close friend, it can sound a little stiff.
For example:
A: I need a laptop for work and travel.
B: We have a few good models.
A: What would you recommend?
B: This light one has a long battery life.
5 If you were me, what would you do?
Tone Warm and honest
Use it when you want someone to imagine your exact situation. It works well with friends and family. It's longer, so it fits a real talk, not a quick question.
For example:
A: My landlord wants to raise the rent again.
B: That's the second time this year.
A: If you were me, what would you do?
B: I'd start looking at other flats.
6 What are my options?
Tone Calm and practical
Use it when you want a list of possible choices before you decide. It's good with banks, offices, and customer service. It doesn't ask for a personal opinion.
For example:
A: I missed my train. What are my options?
B: You can take the next one at six or get a refund.
7 Where do I go from here?
Tone Thoughtful, a bit lost
Use it after a problem or a big change, when you don't know the next step. It can sound worried, so it's better with people you know than in a quick business email.
For example:
A: The project was canceled. Where do I go from here?
B: Let's talk with the team tomorrow and look at new projects.
8 Any advice?
Tone Short and casual
Use it in chat, text messages, or quick talks with friends and coworkers. It's too short for a formal email to a client.
For example:
A: I have my first presentation tomorrow. Any advice?
B: Practice it out loud twice tonight.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
What do you suggest me?Better What do you suggest? / What do you suggest I do?
Suggest doesn't take a person right after it. Use it alone, or add a clause such as "I do." You can also say "What would you suggest?"
-
Not quite
What you would do?Better What would you do?
In a direct question, the helper verb would comes before the subject you. Keep "you would" order only inside another sentence, as in "Tell me what you would do."
-
Not quite
If I were you, what would you do?Better If you were me, what would you do?
You're asking the other person to imagine your situation, so they become you: "If you were me." People use "If I were you" when they give advice, not when they ask for it.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
You need an idea from your manager about a late order. Which question fits best?
- What do you suggest?
- Any advice?
- What's my next move?
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: What do you suggest? "What do you suggest?" is polite and open, so it works well with a boss or client.
-
Your close friend knows your situation well. You want their personal opinion. What do you ask?
- What are my options?
- What would you do?
- What would you recommend?
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: What would you do? "What would you do?" is friendly and personal, and it fits a friend you trust.
-
In "What's my next move?", what does move mean?
- Changing your home
- Your next step
- A dance
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: Your next step In this question, move means the next step or action you take.
-
Which sentence is correct?
- What you would do?
- What do you suggest me?
- If you were me, what would you do?
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: If you were me, what would you do? This line has normal question order and asks the listener to imagine your situation.
-
You are texting a coworker before a presentation. Which line is short and casual?
- Any advice?
- What would you recommend?
- Where do I go from here?
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: Any advice? "Any advice?" is short and relaxed, so it suits a chat or a text message.
Questions learners ask
Is "What should I do?" wrong?
No, it's correct and common. It just puts the focus on you and your problem. Questions like "What do you suggest?" or "What would you do?" ask for the other person's idea directly, so they often sound more natural in a conversation.
What is the difference between "What do you suggest?" and "What would you do?"
"What do you suggest?" asks for an idea or a plan, and it's polite enough for a boss or client. "What would you do?" asks the person to imagine your situation and give a personal answer. Use it with a friend you trust.
How do I ask for advice politely at work?
Try "What do you suggest?" or "What would you recommend?" Both are polite and work in meetings and emails. If you want a list of choices first, ask "What are my options?"
What does "in my place" mean in "What would you do in my place?"
It means "if you were in my situation." It's the same idea as "If you were me, what would you do?" Theo uses it in the Short when he asks Hana for her opinion.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Theo and Hana are animated characters made with Google Flow.
