Which one is correct: advice or advise?
She offered some great advice on career planning.
The expert advised us on the best course of action.
I received some useful advise from my mentor.
Can you advice me on which software to choose? (Incorrectly used noun instead of the verb ‘advise’)
Do you give advice or advise? Though these words are just a letter off, they are not the same and belong to different parts of speech: advice is a verb and advice is a noun.
When to use “advise” or “advice”
| Examples with “advice” | Examples with “advise” |
| I got some advice on how to negotiate a better salary. | Could you please advise me on which route to take to avoid traffic? |
- Advice means “guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action: She visited the island on her doctor’s advice”.
- Advise means to “offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone: I advised him to go home“.
Both advice and advise derive from the same Latin word, visum, meaning “to see” or “that which is seen.” The difference is that advice is a verb that describes the act of giving advice, whereas advice is a noun that refers to the actual guidance or recommendation that’s been given.
Since advise is a verb, it naturally has verb tenses, i.e., advising, advised, advises, and so on. Advice is a mass noun or noncount noun, so it has one form, i.e., advice. They’re also pronounced differently; advise sounds more like ad-vyze, with a z, whereas advice reads like it’s spelled, ad-vice.
How to use advise and advice
If you’re describing the act of giving someone guidance or telling someone which course of action to take, you are advising them on what to do. Whatever you told them to do is the advice that’s been given. See the difference:
- I advise you to study for your test tomorrow, but it is your decision whether to follow the advice.
Sentences with advise
1. I would advise you to study for the exam well in advance to ensure a good grade.
2. Could you please advise me on the route to avoid traffic?
3. The financial consultant will advise us on how to invest our savings wisely.
4. She sought legal counsel to advise her on the best course of action in her case.
5. As a mentor, I am here to advise you on career choices and professional development.
Sentences with advice
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2. I followed his advice and chose the vegetarian option at the restaurant. |
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3. My grandmother’s advice to always be kind has stuck with me throughout my life. |
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4. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’d recommend seeking professional advice from a therapist. |
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5. The travel blog offered great advice on how to pack efficiently for a backpacking trip. |
‘advice’ (noun) sounds like ‘ice’ (a thing); ‘advise’ (verb) sounds like ‘rise’ (an action).
Similar words
| Word | Similar words |
|---|---|
| advice | guidance, counsel, direction, help, recommendation, suggestion, information, instruction adjuration |
| advise | give counsel, make recommendations, offer suggestions, offer opinions, guide, tips |
Origin of advice
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Late 13c., auys “opinion,” from Old French avis “opinion, view, judgment, idea” (13c.), from phrase ço m’est à vis “it seems to me,” or from Vulgar Latin *mi est visum “in my view”. |
Origin of advise
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Late 13c., avisen “to view, consider” (a sense now obsolete); late 14c., “to give counsel to,” from Old French aviser “deliberate, reflect, consider” (13c.), from avis “opinion,” from phrase ço m’est à vis “it seems to me,” ultimately from Latin visum, neuter past participle of videre “to see”. |
More confusing words
Practice: Advise vs. advice
Can you ______ me on what to do next?
Thank you for your helpful ______.
I would ______ you to save your money.
My father always gives great ______.
The doctor will ______ you about your options.
FAQs
What is the main difference between advise and advice?
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How do I know whether to use advice or advise?
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What are common mistakes with advice and advise?
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Are advice and advise spelled or pronounced alike?
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Do advice or advise have different forms?
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Yash, D. "Do you Give Advice or Advise?." Grammarflex, Aug 28, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/advice-or-advise/.
