Advice vs Advise: What’s the Difference Between these Two Words?

Advice or advise? It’s confusing and can be difficult, even for native English speakers, to know when to use each word. Not to worry, though! We have all the tips, tricks, and key differences between these two words so that you’ll be writing and speaking English like a pro. Keep on reading to learn the difference between advice and advise!

Difference Between Advice and Advise

Advice and advise are two very confusing English words. However, they are different parts of speech, pronounced differently, and have different meanings. Continue reading to learn all the differences and learn which one to use in English sentences. You’ll need to know these words for something like the TOEFL exam.

Advice vs Advise: Listening and pronunciation tip

Advice: the end of the word sounds like “ice.”

Advise: the end of the word has a “z” sound. Ad-vize.

Advice vs Advise Defintion

Learn the different meanings of advice and advise. The definitions are different for these two words!

Advice Definition

Advice is a noun that means an opinion about something. It’s an uncountable noun. For example, an advice column is a noun. Someone asks for help and a “professional” answers it (online or in a newspaper or magazine).

Examples: Advice in a Sentence

• You should get some legal advice before signing that contract.
• There’s some good advice on the bank’s website about getting your first mortgage.
• Do you like to read advice columns?
• You know how I hate giving advice! You’ll have to decide for yourself.

Not Correct: 

Is there someone who can advice me about buying a new house?

Advise Definition

Advise is a verb that means to give an opinion or recommendation about something.

Examples: Advise in a Sentence

• My doctor advised me to stop smoking and drinking so much.
• The bike shop advised me to clean my chain after every few rides.
• Can you please advise me on the best course of action here? I’m not sure what I should do.
• I’m hoping that you can advise me on which computer is the right choice for my needs.

Not Correct: 

I need some advise about buying a home, please.

Please be advised Meaning

Please be advised is an English phrase that is now a very common expression of courtesy. It is a phrase that doesn’t really have a meaning in a lot of cases. However, when it can be used to serve mainly 2 purposes.

1. To add politeness to a warning
2. To draw attention to the information that follows ‘please be advised.’

Please be advised Example:

Please be advised that our bookstore will be closed this weekend.

Please Advise or Please Advice

Please advice is incorrect because you need a verb, not a noun after please.

Please advise is the correct expression. It can be used to request information.

Practice: Advise vs Advise Examples

Try out these advice vs advise example questions. Did you answer all of them correctly?

1. Your professor can _____ on which optional classes you should take.
2. That’s some great _____ about getting a dog. Thank you!
3. I just read the most interesting thing in an _____ column. This guy and his wife . . .
4. Would you mind giving me some _____ about starting my own business?
5. My lawyer _____ me to put everything in writing.
6. My parents love giving me _____ about pretty much everything!

Answers

1. advise
2. advice
3. advice
4. advice
5. advised
6. advise

Speaking Practice for Advice Advise

After checking your fill-in-the-blank answers, try speaking each sentence to a friend. Or, record yourself speaking each sentence on your smartphone. Then listen and see if your pronunciation is clear and easy to understand.

Want to Find Out More?

You can find hundreds of confusing English words and word pairs in this book: Most Confusing Words in English Explained. Pick up a copy and ace your next TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam! Find out everything you need to know about it right here:

FAQs About Advice vs Advise

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the difference between advice and advise.

Is it please advise or advice?

Please advice is incorrect. Please advise is the correct expression.

How do you use advice and advise in a sentence?

Advice is a noun, and advise is a verb. An example of advice in a sentence: The advice you gave me the other day really helped! An example of advise in a sentence: The professor advised me to proofread my writing before submitting it.

Is it please be advised or please advise?

Please be advised means that you are informing the other person. Please advise is used when you are requesting information from the other person. They are both correct expressions, but are used in different situations.

More Confusing English Words

Do you need some more help with confusing words? Here are some other resources that can assist you on your English-learning journey. Have a look:

• adverse averse 
• after later
• access excess 
• all ready already 
• except accept 
• little/a little, small 
• affect effect 

Advice vs Advise: Join the Conversation

Some English words can be very confusing for both ESL and native English speakers. Do you have any tips or tricks for remembering the differences between these two words? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API