ENGLISH VOCABULARY GUIDE

Advice vs Advise: The Noun and Verb Difference

Advice is information or a recommendation. Advise is the action of giving that recommendation. Their endings show whether the sentence needs a noun or a verb.

Clear Explanation

• Advice is an uncountable noun in standard English.

• Advise is a verb with the forms advises, advised, and advising.

• Use a piece of advice when counting one recommendation.

• Advise often follows the pattern advise someone to do something.

• Advice commonly follows give, offer, take, or follow.

Examples

Her advice helped me prepare.
The teacher advised us to review the examples.
I would advise checking the source first.

Quick Comparison

Common Mistake

Avoid ‘an advice.’ Write ‘some advice’ or ‘a piece of advice.’

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce advise?

Advise ends with a /z/ sound, while advice ends with an /s/ sound.

Can advice be plural?

Advice is normally uncountable; use pieces of advice.

What is a quick test?

Replace advice with recommendation or advise with recommend.

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