Advice is a noun that refers to an opinion or suggestion that is given. It’s pronounced with an “s” sound at the end.

Advise is a verb that refers to the act of giving an opinion or suggestion. It’s pronounced with a “z” sound at the end (though it is never spelled “advize”).

If you advise someone, you are giving them advice. Someone who advises you is an adviser or advisor.

Please advise or please advice?

Please advise is commonly used as the closing to an email, as a general request for a response to a question or problem. “Please advice” is incorrect—you need the verb here, not the noun. “Please advise” can also be used in a sentence to make a more specific request.

Can you pluralize advice?

“Advice” is an uncountable noun, which means you can’t say “an advice” or refer to multiple “advices.” Instead, it’s common to use expressions like “a word of advice,” or “two pieces of advice.”

Worksheet: Advise vs. advice

Test your knowledge of the difference between “advice” and “advise” by using our practice worksheet below. Fill in either “advice” or “advise” in each sentence.

Practice questions

• The architect ______ the builders against putting a wall there.
• Sometimes just listening is more important than offering ______.
• She gave me a word of ______ based on her experience.
• Please ______.
• Please ______ me on current travel restrictions.

Answers and explanations

3. The architect advised/advises the builders against putting a wall there.
   • Here, the verb “advise,” which means “give an opinion or suggestion,” is used. The past simple form of this verb is “advised.” The present form “advises” would also fit here.
4. Sometimes just listening is more important than offering advice.
   • As you’re referring to the opinion or suggestion offered (not the act of offering it), the noun “advice” is used.
5. She gave me a word of advice, based on her experience.
   • As “advice” is an uncountable noun, it’s common to use an expression like “a word of advice” to refer to a single instance of it.

4. Please advise.
   • “Please advise” is commonly used to ask for a response at the end of an email.

5. Please advise me on current travel restrictions.
   • Here, the phrase “please advise” takes a direct object: “me.”