Advice vs Advise
Choose the noun or the verb, then give a clear, natural recommendation.
Created by Denis M., British English teacher.
Your goal: Use advice and advise accurately in everyday recommendations and short messages.
Read, try each short Say it task aloud, then compare with a model. Finish with the mastery quiz.
Use the lesson together. Pause at each Say it task for a brief exchange, then continue to the mastery quiz.
1. A thing you give, or an action you take?
ADVICE: the recommendation
Thank you for your advice.
Advice is a noun. It names suggestions about what someone should do.
ADVISE: give a recommendation
I advise you to read the examples first.
Advise is a verb. It describes giving a recommendation.
A quick test: can you put some, your or useful before the word? You probably need the noun advice. After a subject such as I, check whether the sentence needs the action advise.
Hear the difference: advice /ədˈvaɪs/ ends in /s/; advise /ədˈvaɪz/ ends in /z/. The main stress is on the second syllable in both words. For /z/, add a gentle voice vibration rather than an extra syllable.
Try it: “Could you give me some ___?” Say the word, then explain its job.
Check the quick example
Advice. Some introduces the noun. The action in this sentence is give.
Listen: ask for advice, then advise
Listen for the noun advice and the verb advise. Notice the quiet /s/ at the end of advice and the voiced /z/ at the end of advise.
Amanda · American English. Both words have stress on the second syllable.
Model transcript and listening guidance
A practical recommendation: Could I ask for some advice? Of course. I advise you to compare the two courses before you decide. That is useful advice. Thank you.
Four useful patterns: A piece of advice. I advise you to wait. She advised against booking too quickly. We followed her advice.
Listening guidance: Some advice and a piece of advice use the noun. I advise you to wait uses the verb. Advise against is followed by a noun or an -ing form.
2. Use advice as an uncountable noun
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| some / useful / good advice | We received some useful advice. |
| a piece of advice | Let me give you a piece of advice. |
| two pieces of advice | I wrote down two pieces of advice. |
| advice on / about something | I asked for advice on choosing a course. |
We do not normally say an advice or three advices. Count pieces or use another countable noun: three suggestions.
Useful verbs are ask for, give, offer, take and follow advice. In this context, take someone’s advice means act on it. It does not mean physically pick something up.
Your turn: make it natural
Change “She gave me two useful advices.”
She gave me two useful pieces of advice. You can also say She gave me some useful advice.
3. Build the verb pattern
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| advise someone to do something | They advised me to compare the courses. |
| advise against doing something | She advised against rushing the decision. |
| advise doing something | I advise checking the timetable first. |
| advise someone on something | The teacher advised us on study techniques. |
The person comes before to + verb: advise me to wait. Without a person, advise waiting is a useful alternative. After against, use a noun or an -ing form.
The past form is advised: She advised us to start early. In the passive, keep to: We were advised to start early.
4. Make the recommendation fit the situation
I advise you to… can sound direct or professional. With a friend, you might choose You could… or It might help to…. Choose the tone deliberately, and offer a reason.
Ask clearly
Could I ask for some advice on choosing a class?
Respond naturally
I would advise you to try a class first, because the teaching style matters.
Edit in three steps: identify the noun or verb, check the words around it, then read the message aloud. Spelling, grammar and pronunciation should support the same meaning.
A polished message
“Thanks for your advice. You advised me to compare the schedules, and that helped. I am going to follow your advice and try one class first.”
Repair and explain
Try each repair aloud or in writing before opening the answer.
Repair: “Thank you for your advise. It was very helpful.”
Check the repair
Thank you for your advice. It was very helpful.
Your introduces the noun advice. The writer is thanking someone for a recommendation.
Repair: “I advise to wait until tomorrow.”
Check the repair
I advise you to wait until tomorrow. / I advise waiting until tomorrow.
Use a person before to + verb, or use an -ing form without the person.
Repair: “She advised against to book the first course.”
Check the repair
She advised against booking the first course.
Against is followed by a noun or an -ing form, not to + verb.
Mastery quiz
Choose one answer for each question. Check your answers, read the explanations, then retry any you missed.
Full answer key with explanations
- advice. Some introduces the uncountable noun advice.
- advise. Advise is the action, followed by a person and to + verb.
- a useful piece of advice. Piece lets you count one recommendation.
- deciding. Against takes an -ing form here.
- advise. Advise ends in /z/. Both words stress the second syllable.
- I acted on her recommendation. Take advice commonly means act on a recommendation.
- I advise checking both options. Without a named person, advise + -ing is natural here.
- three pieces of advice. Pieces is plural; advice remains uncountable.
- to arrive. The passive pattern is be advised to + verb.
- advice; advise. Your advice is the noun phrase; advise me to do is the verb pattern.
Put it into practice
Write or record four sentences for a new learner. Ask for advice, offer a recommendation with a reason, advise against one habit, and finish with a useful piece of advice.
Self-check: Check noun versus verb, uncountable advice, and the patterns to + verb and against + -ing. Is the tone helpful?
Together: Your tutor asks one follow-up question. Answer it, then improve one of your sentences.
Compare with a model
Could I ask for some advice on practising speaking? I would advise you to record a short answer each day, because you can hear your progress. I would advise against correcting every word while you speak. One useful piece of advice is to focus on one improvement at a time.