advise
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to tell someone what you think they should do in a particular situation.
to offer a recommendation or opinion to be followed. Transitive; often takes an object and an infinitive or a 'that' clause.
Simple“The doctor advised him to eat less salt and exercise more often.”
In context“Legal experts strongly advise that the company review its safety protocols before the new legislation takes effect next month.”
UsageCommonly used in the pattern 'advise someone to do something' or 'advise that someone should do something'.
PitfallI would like some advise on this matter. I would like some advice on this matter.Advise is the verb (the action); advice is the noun (the thing).
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to give someone official information or a formal notice about something.
to formally notify or provide information to a person or organisation. Often used in professional or legal contexts.
Simple“Please be advised that the office will be closed for the holiday.”
In context“The bank wrote to advise us of a change in the interest rates affecting our savings account.”
UsageFrequently appears in the passive voice as 'please be advised that...' in formal correspondence.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
to think carefully about something before making a decision.
to consider or deliberate on a matter. Intransitive; now largely restricted to legal or highly formal contexts.
Simple“The council took time to advise before announcing their final decision.”
In context“The court will take time to advise upon the arguments presented before delivering a written judgment next term.”
Synonyms
advise vs advice — Advise is the action of giving a suggestion, while advice is the suggestion itself.
Usage advises people
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Latin ad Old French a Proto-Indo-European *weyd-der. Proto-Italic *widēō Latin videō Latin vīsus Old French vis Old French avis Old French aviserbor. Middle English avisen ▲ Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *weyd- Proto-Indo-European *-(h₁)seti Proto-Indo-European *wéydseti Proto-Italic *weidsō Latin visō Late Latin advisōder. English advise From Middle English avisen (“to perceive, consider, inform”), from Old French aviser, from avis, or from Late Latin advisō, from ad + visō. See also advice.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.