Advice vs. Advise How to Choose the Right Word

The words advice and advise have related meanings but are different parts of speech.  The noun advice most often means guidance or a recommendation regarding a course of action (your friend gave you bad advice), though it has a few other meanings as well. The verb advise means to caution, recommend, or counsel (let me advise you of your rights). How to Use Advice Advice is pronounced ad-vÄ «s, with the stress on the second syllable, which rhymes with mice. Advice means counsel, direction, or information—sometimes requested and sometimes given without permission. More rarely, advice is also a formal notice that a financial transaction has taken place. Advice can be personal (Mom gave me some advice about how to handle guys like you), professional (I went to my boss for advice on how to handle this type of customer), or general (I need advice about where to go for dinner). When the word is used formally in the form of a legal notice, it is almost always in written format (remittance advice, for example). How to Use Advise Advise, pronounced ad-vÄ «z, is a verb and is similar in general meaning to advice. In fact, it is technically correct to say I advise you to take my advice. The word can mean suggest (I advise you to take the longer route), recommend (he advised me to stay away from Bill), or inform (Id like to advise you of the leaky faucet in that bathroom). It can also mean be made aware of or apprise (you will be advised of our decision in due time). Examples While you may ask for or receive advice, only another person can advise you. These examples clarify the proper use of each term. The best advice I can give you is to exercise, eat right, and avoid smoking. (The term advice, a noun, is here used as a synonym for recommendation.)The lawyer said he would advise us when its time to appear in court. (The term advise, a verb, is here used as a synonym for tell or let us know.)I always ask my best friend for advice before choosing an outfit for a dance. (The noun advice is here used as a synonym for suggestions or recommendations.)Will you give me some advice about how to get into a good college? (The noun advice is here used as a synonym for recommendations. How to Remember the Difference Its helpful to remember that advice is always a noun, while advise is always a verb. It may also help you to think about another similar pair of words: device and devise. A device, like advice, is a thing rather than an action: You can actually use both a device and advice. Devise and advise, on the other hand, are always actions. Free Advice The expression free advice means a suggestion or an opinion that wasnt asked for but is given nonetheless. Typically, parents, teachers, and friends give free advice when they believe someone they care about is making a bad decision. For example, Heres a bit of free advice: Stop drinking beer and start drinking water at least two hours before leaving a party. Sources Advice vs. Advise.  Grammarist.Advise or Advice?  OxfordWords Blog, Oxford University Press, 3 Jan. 2017.