Meaning & use
advise
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To tell someone what you think they should do, using your knowledge or experience.
Grammar: Can take a person (advise her), a thing (advise caution) or an -ing form; it is followed by to + verb after a person.
Patterns
- advise someone to do something
- advise doing something
- advise someone on something
The doctor advised him to rest for a week.
I would advise waiting until prices drop.
A lawyer advised the company on the contract.
verbtransitiveformal
To officially tell someone about a fact, decision or situation.
Grammar: Common in formal letters: advise someone of something.
Patterns
- advise someone of something
- advise someone that something
Please advise us of any changes to your address.
The bank advised him that the account was closed.
We will advise you when the shipment arrives.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To work as a trained expert who gives guidance to a person or group.
Grammar: Often with on: advise on policy, or used without an object.
Patterns
- advise on something
- advise someone
She advises the mayor on energy policy.
He advises on matters of tax.
Several experts advise the committee.
Word forms
| third person singular | advises |
|---|---|
| past tense | advised |
| past participle | advised |
| -ing form | advising |
Common combinations
- strongly advise
- I strongly advise you to read the contract first.
- advise against
- Experts advise against swimming in the river.
- advise someone on
- A financial planner advised us on retirement.
- be advised
- Please be advised that the office will close early.
- advise caution
- The police advise caution on icy roads.
Synonyms and how they differ
- recommend
- Recommend suggests a particular choice or item, while advise focuses on guiding someone's decision.
- counsel
- Counsel is more formal and suggests careful, thoughtful guidance, often from someone serious.
- suggest
- Suggest is softer and gives an idea without any sense of expert authority.
- inform
- Inform means to give facts only, with no suggestion about what to do.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: advise or advice?
advise vs advice
Advice is the noun and is pronounced with a s sound, while advise is the verb pronounced with a z sound: I advise you, but I take your advice.
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
Advise is the verb and takes someone plus to + verb. Advise is not the noun, and advice cannot be used as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “advise”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.