Look-alike words
Advice vs. Advise
Advice is a noun that means a suggestion about what someone should do. Advise is a verb that means to give that suggestion. You ask for advice, and a friend advises you. Advice rhymes with nice; advise rhymes with prize.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| advice | noun | an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do |
| advise | verb | to tell someone what you think they should do |
| verb | to formally tell someone about something, as in business letters and notices |
Advice
noun: an opinion or suggestion about what someone should do
- My coach gave me good advice about pacing in a long race.
- Can I ask your advice on which laptop to buy?
Advise
verb: to tell someone what you think they should do
- The doctor advised Maya to rest her knee for two weeks.
- We advise all guests to keep their valuables in the safe.
verb: to formally tell someone about something, as in business letters and notices
- Please advise us of any change to your mailing address.
- Passengers were advised that the train would be twenty minutes late.
How to remember the difference
Advice ends in ice, and both are nouns: you can get some ice and get some advice. Advise, with its z sound, is the verb: I advise you.
Good to know
Advice is uncountable, so say a piece of advice or some advice, not an advice or advices. The person who advises is often spelled adviser, though advisor is also common and correct.
Spot the mistake
My parents always gave me good
adviseadvice about money.Correct: My parents always gave me good advice about money.
I would
adviceadvise you to book the hotel early.Correct: I would advise you to book the hotel early.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. Thank you for the helpful about my essay.
Answer: advice. The word names a thing you were given, a suggestion, so it is the noun advice.
2. The guide will you on the safest route up the hill.
Answer: advise. After will, you need a verb meaning to give a suggestion, so it is advise.