Do you Give Advice or Advise?

Advice vs. advise: what's the difference?

Though they differ by just one letter, advice and advise have distinct meanings and uses in English. Understanding the difference is crucial for clear communication.

• Advice (noun) — guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.

• Advise (verb) — to offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.

Definitions and usage

Advice (noun)

Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action.

Advise (verb)

To offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.

Pro tip! Remember that advice = "C" for Counsel (think of receiving guidance as a thing), while advise = "S" for Suggest (think of the action of giving suggestions). Also, 'advice' (noun) sounds like 'ice' (a thing); 'advise' (verb) sounds like 'rise' (an action).

Both advice and advise derive from the same Latin word, visum, meaning "to see" or "that which is seen." The difference is that advise 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

1. She offered some great advice on career planning.
2. I followed his advice and chose the vegetarian option at the restaurant.
3. My grandmother's advice to always be kind has stuck with me throughout my life.
4. If you're feeling overwhelmed, I'd recommend seeking professional advice from a therapist.
5. The travel blog offered great advice on how to pack efficiently for a backpacking trip.

Synonyms & nearby words

Word origins

Advice: 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."

Advise: 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."

Practice quiz: Advice vs. Advise

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