Ask a Friend for Advice A2 Writing Practice Tests Rules & Examples

How to Ask a Friend for Advice in English

Sometimes we have a problem and we need help from someone we trust. Writing a message or email to ask a friend for advice is a very common and useful skill in everyday English. You might ask for advice about a job, a relationship, a difficult decision, or a personal situation.

In this lesson, you will learn how to write a short, friendly email asking a friend for advice. You will practise using linking words, the correct verb tenses, and the right tone for informal writing. Real-life examples of this kind of message include asking a friend whether to accept a new job, what to do about an argument, or which course to study.

Essential Writing Rules & Sentence Structure

1. Organise Your Message into Clear Paragraphs

A good advice-request message has three parts:

• Paragraph 1: Greet your friend and explain why you are writing.
• Paragraph 2: Describe your problem clearly, giving key details and reasons.
• Paragraph 3: Ask your question directly and invite your friend to reply.

2. Use the Correct Verb Tenses

Use the present simple to describe your current situation and feelings: "I feel confused." / "I don't know what to do."

Use the past simple to explain what happened: "My boss offered me a new position." / "We had an argument last week."

Use going to or will to talk about future decisions: "I'm going to make a decision soon." / "I think I will talk to him."

3. Connect Your Ideas with Linking Words

Use linking words to join your sentences and explain your reasons clearly. Do not write a list of short, disconnected sentences. Instead, connect your ideas so your message flows naturally.

Correct: "I got a new job offer, but I'm not sure whether to accept it because the salary is low."

Avoid: "I got a new job offer. I am not sure. The salary is low."

4. Use Commas After Introductory Time Clauses

When you begin a sentence with a time word such as when, before, or after, always put a comma before the main part of the sentence.

Correct: "When I read the email, I felt very surprised."

Incorrect: "When I read the email I felt very surprised."

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

These connectors will help you explain your situation clearly and connect your ideas at A2 level.

Model Writing Sample: An Email Asking a Friend for Advice

Read the model email below carefully. Notice how it is organised and how the writer uses linking words and different verb tenses.

The situation: Maria received a job offer in another city. She is not sure whether to accept it. She decides to email her friend Laura for advice.

Hi Laura, ← Greeting

How are you? I hope everything is going well. ← Friendly opening I'm writing because I have a problem and I really need your advice. ← Reason for writing

Last week, my boss offered me a new job in Madrid. It's a great opportunity, but I'm not sure what to do because all my family and friends are here. Although the salary is much better, I don't want to leave everyone. When I thought about it last night, I felt really confused. ← Main body: problem + details + reasons + feelings

What do you think I should do? I'm going to make a decision before Friday, so please write back soon! ← Direct question + call to action

All the best,
Maria ← Friendly sign-off

Word Count: 86 words ✓

Model Text Breakdown

• Greeting: "Hi Laura," — informal and friendly.
• Opening line and reason for writing: "I'm writing because I have a problem and I really need your advice." — states the purpose immediately and clearly.
• Main body details: Describes the problem (new job offer), gives key details (location, salary), explains feelings (confused), and uses linking words (but, because, although, when).
• Closing question and call to action: "What do you think I should do?" and "please write back soon!" — ends with a direct question and a friendly request to reply.
• Sign-off: "All the best, Maria" — appropriate and informal.

Key Phrases & Sentence Starters

Greetings

• Hi [Name],
• Dear [Name],
• Hello [Name],

Opening Lines & Reason for Writing

• How are you? I hope you're well.
• I hope everything is going well.
• I'm writing because I have a problem.
• I really need your advice about something.
• Something difficult happened and I don't know what to do.
• I hope you can help me with a situation.

Giving Details & Explaining Your Situation

• Last week, [something] happened…
• The problem is that…
• I'm not sure what to do because…
• On one hand, … but on the other hand, …
• Although [positive detail], I'm still worried because…
• When I thought about it, I felt…
• I spoke to [person], and then I decided to ask you.
• The good thing is … but the problem is …

Asking for Advice

• What do you think I should do?
• Do you think it's a good idea?
• What would you do in my situation?
• Can you give me some advice?
• I'd really like to know your opinion.

Ending Your Message & Sign-offs

• Please write back soon!
• I'm going to decide soon, so let me know what you think.
• I really hope to hear from you.
• Thanks so much for your help.
• Let me know what you think when you have a moment.
• All the best, / Best wishes, / See you soon, / Love, / Take care,

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Study these common A2 mistakes carefully. Make sure you do not make the same errors in your own writing.

❌ "I don't know what to do so I have a big problem."
✅ Use because to give a reason, and so to show a result. The correct sentence is: "I have a big problem, so I don't know what to do." Or: "I don't know what to do because the situation is very difficult." Remember: because introduces a reason; so introduces a result.

❌ "When I got the email I was very happy."
✅ Always put a comma after an introductory time clause. The correct sentence is: "When I got the email, I was very happy." The comma separates the time clause (When I got the email) from the main clause (I was very happy).

❌ "I dont know what to do. I think its a difficult situation."
✅ Use apostrophes correctly for contractions. The correct sentences are: "I don't know what to do. I think it's a difficult situation." Don't = do not. It's = it is. Always use an apostrophe in place of the missing letter.

❌ "Although the salary is good but I'm not sure about the job."
✅ Do not use although and but together in the same sentence. Choose one or the other. The correct sentences are: "Although the salary is good, I'm not sure about the job." Or: "The salary is good, but I'm not sure about the job."

Writing Checklist & Practice Task

Writing Checklist

Before you finish your email, check each point below:

• ✅ Did you include a friendly, informal greeting (e.g. Hi [Name],)?
• ✅ Did you open with a friendly sentence and state clearly why you are writing?
• ✅ Did you describe your problem clearly with enough details (what happened, how you feel, what your options are)?
• ✅ Did you use at least two linking words from the table (e.g. because, so, although, when)?
• ✅ Did you use the past simple correctly to describe what happened (e.g. I went, she offered, we had)?
• ✅ Did you put a comma after introductory time clauses (e.g. When I read the email,)?
• ✅ Did you use apostrophes correctly in contractions (e.g. I'm, don't, it's)?
• ✅ Did you ask your friend a direct question for advice?
• ✅ Did you finish with a friendly call to action (e.g. Please write back soon!)?
• ✅ Did you use an appropriate informal sign-off followed by your name?
• ✅ Is your email between 60 and 90 words?

Your Practice Task

Read the situation below and write your email.

Situation: Your friend Tom is studying at the same language school as you. You are thinking about changing your English class from the morning to the evening because you got a part-time job in the morning. However, you are worried because you do not know anyone in the evening class. Write an email to your friend Sam asking for advice. Write 60–90 words.

Use the following in your email:

• An informal greeting
• A clear opening line explaining why you are writing
• At least two linking words from the table above (e.g. because, but, although, so)
• The past simple to describe something that happened (e.g. "I got a part-time job last week.")
• A direct question asking for Sam's advice
• A friendly sign-off

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.