Advice is a noun meaning a recommendation or guidance. Advise is a verb meaning to give a recommendation or guidance.
- My teacher gave me useful advice.
- My teacher advised me to revise the introduction.
In short, advice is the thing you give; advise is the action of giving it.
Advice vs. advise at a glance
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| advice | noun | a recommendation or guidance | Thank you for the advice. |
| advise | verb | to recommend or give guidance | I advise you to wait. |
The spelling clue is reliable because advice is always a noun and advise is always a verb.
How to pronounce advice and advise
The final sound is different:
- advice ends with an unvoiced s sound, like the end of ice.
- advise ends with a voiced z sound, like the end of prize.
The spelling does not perfectly match the sound, so remember: advice rhymes with ice; advise rhymes with prize.
When to use advice
Use advice when you mean a suggestion, recommendation, or guidance about what someone should do.
- She asked her mentor for advice.
- His financial advice helped us plan a realistic budget.
- The guide offers practical advice for first-time renters.
- I followed your advice and backed up my files.
- That was the best advice anyone gave me.
Because advice names the recommendation itself, it functions as a noun.
Common phrases with advice
- give advice
- ask for advice
- get advice
- follow advice
- take someone’s advice
- seek professional advice
- offer advice
- a piece of advice
- good, helpful, practical, or expert advice
Example: Before signing the agreement, she sought professional advice.
Advice is uncountable
In standard English, advice is an uncountable noun. Do not normally write an advice or advices.
Incorrect
- He gave me an advice.
- I received several useful advices.
Correct
- He gave me some advice.
- He gave me a piece of advice.
- I received several useful pieces of advice.
You can also use words such as some, much, and a little with advice:
- Could you give me some advice?
- She did not need much advice.
- I have a little advice for new students.
When to use advise
Use advise when someone performs the action of recommending, informing, or giving guidance.
- Doctors advise patients to stay hydrated.
- I would advise against making a decision tonight.
- The consultant advised us on the next steps.
- Please advise whether the deadline has changed.
- We were advised to keep our receipts.
The form changes with tense and subject:
- I advise
- she advises
- they advised
- we are advising
Common sentence patterns with advise
Advise someone to do something
Use advise + person + to + verb when recommending an action.
- I advised him to apply early.
- The mechanic advised us to replace the battery.
- Experts advise travelers to keep copies of important documents.
Advise doing something
Use advise + -ing form when the person receiving the advice is not stated.
- We advise booking in advance.
- Doctors often advise limiting added sugar.
- The manual advises restarting the device.
Advise against something
Use advise against to recommend not doing something.
- I advise against sharing your password.
- The lawyer advised against signing immediately.
- We strongly advise against driving in the storm.
Advise someone on or about something
- The specialist advised us on security requirements.
- She advises clients about retirement planning.
- The committee will advise the director on policy.
Advise that
In formal writing, advise that can introduce a recommended or reported action.
- We advise that you arrive 15 minutes early.
- The report advises that the system be replaced.
- Please be advised that the office will be closed Monday.
What does “please advise” mean?
Please advise means please tell me what I should do or please provide the requested information. It is common in business email.
- The invoice does not match our records. Please advise.
- Please advise whether you can attend the meeting.
The phrase is grammatically correct, but it can sound abrupt without context. A more specific request is often friendlier:
- Could you please let me know which option you prefer?
- Please tell me how you would like us to proceed.
How to remember advice and advise
Use this simple pairing:
- adviCe = a Concept or recommendation
- adviSe = to Suggest
Or remember the sentence:
You advise someone by giving them advice.
Advice, advise, advisor, and adviser
Advisor and adviser are nouns for a person who gives advice. Both spellings are used in American English.
- She is my academic advisor.
- He works as a legal adviser.
Organizations and job titles may prefer one spelling, so follow the official form when referring to a particular role. Neither spelling changes the basic rule: an advisor or adviser advises and gives advice.
Advice vs. advise examples by context
Work and business
- The consultant gave us valuable advice.
- The consultant advised us to delay the launch.
- Please advise which payment method you prefer.
School and college
- Her professor’s advice improved the research paper.
- The professor advised her to cite more primary sources.
- Students should seek advice before changing programs.
Health
- This article provides general information, not medical advice.
- Doctors advise regular exercise for many patients.
- Follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
Travel
- The agency offered advice about travel insurance.
- Officials advised residents to avoid the flooded road.
- We took their advice and left before the storm.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Can you advice me?
Correct: Can you advise me?
The sentence needs a verb describing the action of giving guidance.
Incorrect: Thank you for your advise.
Correct: Thank you for your advice.
The sentence refers to the guidance itself, so it needs a noun.
Incorrect: She gave me an advice.
Correct: She gave me some advice.
Correct: She gave me a piece of advice.
Advice is uncountable in standard English.
Incorrect: The doctor adviced me to rest.
Correct: The doctor advised me to rest.
The past tense of advise is advised, not adviced.
Quick practice quiz
Choose advice, advise, advised, or advises.
- Could you ___ me on the best way to proceed?
- Thank you for your helpful ___.
- The technician ___ us to install the update.
- My coach always ___ warming up first.
- I need a piece of ___ about my application.
- We ___ against sharing confidential information.
- She followed her doctor’s ___.
- Please ___ whether the shipment has left.
Answers
- advise — the sentence needs a verb
- advice — the guidance is a noun
- advised — past-tense action
- advises — present-tense verb with a singular subject
- advice — part of the phrase a piece of advice
- advise — part of the phrase advise against
- advice — the recommendation she followed
- advise — means please inform us
Frequently asked questions
Does a doctor advice or advise?
A doctor advises a patient because advise is the verb. The doctor gives advice, using the noun.
Is it “please advise” or “please advice”?
Please advise is correct because the sentence asks someone to perform an action. Advice cannot be used as a verb.
Can I say “an advice”?
Not in standard English. Say some advice, a piece of advice, or a recommendation.
What is the plural of advice?
Advice normally has no plural form. To count separate recommendations, use pieces of advice or recommendations.
Is advised spelled with a c or an s?
Advised is spelled with an s because it is the past tense of the verb advise.
The bottom line
Use advice for the recommendation and advise for the action of giving it.
- She gave me excellent advice.
- She advised me to start early.
If other similar-looking pairs cause confusion, review our guides to affect vs. effect and accept vs. except.