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This is everyday grammar.
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I'm Alice Bryant, and these days I eat almost all of my meals at home.
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So I cook more and I have, ah, lot of leftovers.
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Sometimes the leftovers stay in the fridge too long.
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This morning, for example, I was reaching for a container of oatmeal when my sister said I wouldn't eat that if I were you.
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It's been sitting in the fridge for more than a week.
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She was advising that I avoid the food because it was probably spoiled.
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There are a few kinds of warnings in English.
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Some give direct commands, while others give indirect advice against doing something.
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Today we will look at one indirect warning.
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I wouldn't if I were you.
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That's the one my sister used.
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It's a common way to indirectly tell someone not to do something.
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Sometimes we shorten the phrase by removing the if clause like this, for example, I wouldn't work there.
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I've heard bad things about the place.
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Other times in response to someone, we omit the action from the middle of the phrase like this.
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I was thinking of going to the beach this weekend.
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I wouldn't if I were you.
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It'll be crowded.
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Now you try it.
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Warn someone against doing something, using the phrase I wouldn't if I were you.
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I'll go first.
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I wouldn't miss the next grammar lesson if I were you, and that's everyday grammar.
