It’s easy to confuse “advice” and “advise,” as they only differ by one letter and we use them in similar contexts (both are related to suggesting or recommending something). But there is an important difference between these terms, so you won’t want to mix them up in your writing.
Check out our guide below to find out how these words work.
If someone offers you “advice,” they are suggesting what you should say or do in a particular situation. For example, we could use it in the following:
I need some advice on the best way to get to London.
The service provides advice on housing issues.
Spelled with a “c,” “advice” is always a noun. It’s also an uncountable noun, which means it has no plural form (i.e., we can’t talk about “many advices”). However, you can refer to an amount of advice:
My father gave me a lot of advice about shaving.
Or you can refer to “pieces of” or “bits of” advice to pluralize it:
My mother gave me two pieces of advice before I left home.
When spoken, meanwhile, you pronounce “advice” to rhyme with “ice.”
Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox.
“Advise,” with an “s,” is always a verb. This word thus means “give advice”:
We advise taking out insurance for this computer.
She advised me to take the next bus for three stops.
More rarely, “advise” can also mean “formally provide with information”:
If the flight is canceled, we will advise you of where to claim a refund.
And rather than “ice,” “advise” rhymes with words like “organize” and “prize.”
While these words are related, they are also importantly different:
If you struggle with these words, though, think about the sentence “My advice is to eat ice on a hot day.” If you can remember that “advice” ends in “ice,” and that both words are nouns, you should be able to avoid mix ups.
That’s not all, though! We always have proofreaders on hand to help you check your spelling is correct. So, to be extra sure your writing is always error free, why not submit a document today?
Δ
5-minute read
Promoting a brand means sharing valuable insights to connect more deeply with your audience, and...
6-minute read
If you’re seeking funding to support your charitable endeavors as a nonprofit organization, you’ll need...
9-minute read
Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when...
8-minute read
Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive...
7-minute read
Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their...
4-minute read
Are you a creative freelancer looking to make a lasting impression on potential clients or...