Skip to main content

if I were you

Advice​

We often use the structure If I were you … to give advice. British English has should or would in the main clause; American English would.

  • I wouldn’t/shouldn’t worry if I were you.
  • If I were you, I’d get that car serviced.

If I was you is also possible. Some people consider it incorrect (see here).

I should/would …​

Sometimes we leave out If I were you, and just use I should … (British English) or I would … to give advice.

  • I shouldn’t worry.
  • I would get that car serviced.

In this case, I should/would is similar to you should.