What is the difference between "advise" and "advice"?

The English language can be very confusing, to say the least. There are tons of words that can throw you off your grammar game simply because of one single letter.

Advise and advice are words that sound very similar. It’s easy to get confused because they look the same, as well (the only difference is the s and c).

They are typically used within the same context—that is, relating to offering a suggestion or opinion—but have different meanings. The s and c change represents a change in their definitions. So let’s get into it.

Advice is a noun that means an opinion recommended or offered, e.g. What advice can you offer me?

Advise is a verb that means * to offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.*

What Does Advice Mean?

Advice is a noun that means an opinion recommended or offered.

Advice is a thing that you can give and receive. Whenever you’re in a rut and need help from your friend, advice is what you seek out.

Of course, if you’re stubborn you might not take it so well.

What’s the Plural of Advice?

Advice is a mass or uncountable noun (similar to water and sand) so it doesn’t have a plural form. Therefore, you can’t say advices; similarly, you can’t say an advice.

• Correct : I really appreciate all the great advice he gives me.
• Incorrect: I really appreciate all the great advices he gives me.

However, there are some idiomatic units of measurement when it comes to advice: you can say pieces of advice and words of advice.

Examples of Advice in a Sentence

Now that you have the basics, let’s look at some examples of advice in a sentence.

• The principal ominously mentioned that we should heed his advice.
• I trust your advice more than anyone else’s.
• Her father gave them sound financial advice.
• You should take their advice with a grain of salt.
• She bragged that her mother’s advice had never failed her.

What Are Synonyms for Advice?

If you’d like to avoid using the word advice entirely, rest assured that there are a few synonyms at your disposal.

Proposal, guidance, suggestion, direction, and input are all synonyms of advice.

What Does Advise Mean?

Advise is a verb that means to offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone.

So simply put, advise is the act that is carried out—it is being performed by someone—while advice is a thing that is being given.

Examples of Advise in a Sentence

• I have to go to court and I need you to advise me in this matter.
• Please advise me on what to do when filling in this application.
• The teacher will advise the students of the risks before going on the field trip.
• I advise you to leave this place before you cause anymore trouble.
• She had to advise the new employees on the workplace safety procedures.

What Are Synonyms for Advise?

You have quite a few options when it comes to synonyms for advise. Some of them are caution, recommend, encourage, urge, and counsel.

Adviser vs. Advisor

There is no difference between adviser and advisor except in spelling.

Both words describe someone who advises, usually in a professional setting.

Heads of states and business leaders tend to have advisors/advisers who are trained or knowledgeable about a particular subject area.

In short, advising is done by an adviser or an advisor. Advisers give advice, and so do advisors.

How to Remember the Difference Between Advice vs. Advise

There are a few ways to remember the difference between advice vs. advise.

A good way to remember the difference is to remember that advice ends in -vice. A vice is a tool used to hold things. Imagine hugging a friend who offers you some advice, or them holding your hand while they give you advice.

Advise also has a slightly different pronunciation. It ends with an -z sound. Try speaking your sentence out loud, and see which pronunciation you naturally use. This could give you some clues.

Out of the two words, advice is the most common. It appears about four times more frequently than advise.

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Quiz: Do You Remember the Difference Between Advise and Advice?

Let’s see how much you remember. The answers are below, but I’d advise you to go through them all before skipping to the answers.

1. Even so, I recalled Nelson’s _ _ _ _ .
2. It’s difficult to _ _ _ _ someone when you only know half the story.
3. Irena’s _ _ _ _ doesn’t help much.
4. If Ilona knew, she would _ _ _ _ Cherry to tell the police.
5. He seemed pleased that she would seek his _ _ _ _ .
6. Emma returned to her sauce, irritated that Lilly refused to take her _ _ _ _ .
7. What would you _ _ _ _ me to do?
8. They don’t always give the best _ _ _ _ .
9. I’d _ _ _ _ you to give her some space.
10. What’s the latest _ _ _ _ from the government?

ANSWERS: 1. advice; 2. advise; 3. advice; 4. advise; 5. advice; 6. advice; 7. advise; 8. advice; 9. advise; 10. advice

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