Advice vs. advise: What’s the difference?

The English language contains multiple homonyms—words that are spelled and pronounced similarly but have different meanings. One common example is ‘advice’ and ‘advise.’ While they sound similar, both have different (but related) meanings. These two words can be a source of confusion, especially for those trying to learn the language. Let’s explore the difference between ‘advice’ and ‘advise,’ their meanings, and how to use them in your writing.

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What does ‘advice’ mean?

‘Advice’ is a noun that refers to an opinion or recommendation offered as a guide to action. It’s the wisdom, guidance, and information you provide or receive. The term ‘advice’ is derived from the Old French word ‘avis,’ which means ‘opinion.’ Here are some examples of the word ‘advice’ in a sentence:

I appreciated her sound advice on how to invest my money.
His doctor’s advice was to eat healthier.

The term ‘advice’ is an uncountable noun, meaning it doesn’t have a plural form. You can’t say ‘advices.’ Instead, you can use phrases like ‘pieces of advice’ or ‘bits of advice.’

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What does ‘advise’ mean?

In contrast, ‘advise’ is a verb that means to give advice. It’s the act of offering an opinion or suggestion to someone. The term ‘advise’ is derived from the Old French word ‘aviser,’ which means ‘consider, reflect.’ Here are some examples of the verb ‘advise’ in a sentence:

The lawyer advised me to plead guilty.
I advise you to start saving for retirement now.

The term ‘advise’ is a regular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle are ‘advised.’

’Advice’ versus ‘advise’: How to use them in a sentence

Here are some additional examples to further your understanding of ‘advice’ versus ‘advise’:

My teacher gave me some great advice on how to improve my writing.
My teacher advised me to read more books to improve my vocabulary.

In the first sentence, ‘advice’ is used as a noun to refer to the recommendations given by the teacher. In the second sentence, ‘advise’ is used as a verb to describe the action of giving recommendations.

“‘Advice’ is the information you give or receive, while ‘advise’ is the act of giving that information.”

’Advice’ versus ‘advise’: How to remember their meanings

To recap, ‘advice’ is the information you give or receive, while ‘advise’ is the act of giving that information. Remember that ‘advice’ ends with ‘ice,’ a noun, just like ‘advice.’ In addition, ‘advise’ ends with ‘ise,’ which sounds like ‘eyes,’ and eyes are used to observe or gather information.

How to ask for advice

The phrase ‘please advise’ is often used in business correspondence. It’s a polite way of saying, “Please give me advice or guidance on this matter.” Here are some examples:

I’m not sure how to proceed with this project. Please advise.
I’m considering two job offers. Could you advise me on which one might be a better fit for my career goals?
I’m having trouble with this software. Can you advise me on how to troubleshoot it?

In summary, the difference between ‘advice’ and ‘advise’ is simple: ‘advice’ is the information you give or receive, and ‘advise’ is the act of giving that information. Remember that rule the next time you’re uncertain about whether to use ‘advice’ or ‘advise’ in your writing.