Advice vs. Advise
“Advice” is an uncountable noun meaning a suggestion about what someone should do; “advise” is a verb meaning to give advice. The spelling difference corresponds to a part-of-speech difference, and standard English does not normally use “an advice” or “advices.”
Use “advice” when you need the noun and “advise” when you need the verb. Say “some advice” or “a piece of advice,” not normally “an advice” or “advices.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| What the sentence needs | Choose | Example pattern |
|---|---|---|
| a noun meaning guidance | advice | some advice / a piece of advice |
| a verb meaning give guidance | advise | advise someone to do something |
| one countable unit | a piece of advice | not normally “an advice” |
| plural guidance | advice | not normally “advices” |
The noun/verb distinction is stable across major regional varieties, while pronunciation can help distinguish the forms in speech.
Further guidance
Core difference
Advice is the noun; advise is the verb. Cambridge also distinguishes their pronunciations, with the noun ending in an /s/ sound and the verb in a /z/ sound.
Countability
Advice is uncountable in standard English. Use “some advice,” “a lot of advice,” or “a piece of advice” when you need a countable unit.
Fast Test
If “suggestion” could replace the word, you probably need advice. If “recommend” or “give guidance” could replace it, you probably need advise.
Sentence Patterns
Typical noun pattern: “She gave me useful advice.” Typical verb pattern: “She advised me to wait.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Advice or advise? — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Advice/advise distinction and countability
- Countability: advice — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Advice as an uncountable noun