I took advice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I took advice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past action of receiving or following guidance from someone. Example: "After considering my options, I took advice from my mentor on how to proceed with my career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I took advice.

The New York Times

Finally, I took advice from my dad and changed my putting grip and switched putters.

The New York Times - Sports

"I heard about it on the course," said Love. "I took advice and ignored the noise.

The Guardian - Sport

I took advice from Guardian commenters Suffolkbumpkin and Kezia10 who recommended growing expensive produce such as pak choi, peppers and rainbow chard.

The Guardian - Money

When Carla Bruni came on her infamous Dior-clad state visit in 2008: "I took advice from too many people, and ended up wearing something I wasn't comfortable in.

The Guardian

I took advice from lawyers, and in providing advice that there was no such impediment I was of course aware of the former statements from Mr Hunt which you cite.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I take advice from her, and I give it too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's true I take advice from senior leadership," he said.

The New York Times

"Why would I take advice from my father my whole life, and then one day put someone over him just because they're XYZ?

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, I'll take advice, but if I think it's wrong then I won't listen to it.

Huffington Post

"I was taking advice from people who I thought were experts in how to handle it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider specifying the type of advice received (e.g., legal, financial, personal) to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "I took advice" without specifying the outcome or impact of following the advice. Explain how it influenced your actions or decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I took advice" functions as a statement of action, indicating that the speaker followed guidance or recommendations from another party. As Ludwig AI underlines, this shows a decision-making process influenced by external counsel.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I took advice" is grammatically sound and signifies that the speaker acted on guidance received from someone else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. To enhance clarity, specify the source and type of advice. Alternatives include "I heeded counsel" or "I followed guidance". While the frequency of this phrase is uncommon, it remains a valuable part of English vocabulary. Remember to clearly show the outcome or result of taking the advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I listened to counsel

Emphasizes the act of paying attention to advice.

I followed guidance

Focuses on the act of adhering to provided direction.

I heeded counsel

This emphasizes paying attention to and following advice.

I acted on recommendations

Highlights implementing suggestions.

I used the advice given

Emphasizes the utilization of guidance.

I observed recommendations

Focuses on implementing the suggestions.

I adhered to the advice

Stresses strict compliance with the given guidance.

I adopted suggestions

Focuses on incorporating suggestions into one's actions.

I embraced recommendations

Implies willingly accepting and acting on suggestions.

I sought and followed recommendations

Indicates a proactive approach to obtaining and implementing suggestions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I took advice" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could say "I heeded counsel", "I followed guidance", or "I acted upon the recommendations".

Is it always necessary to specify from whom "I took advice"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the source of the advice adds credibility and context. If the source is well-known or an expert in the field, it strengthens your statement.

What's the difference between "I took advice" and "I received advice"?

"I received advice" simply means you were given guidance. "I took advice" implies that you not only received it but also acted upon it. The nuance is in the action taken as a result of the guidance.

Are there situations where "I took advice" might not be the best choice of words?

If you ultimately disregarded the advice, it would be misleading to say "I took advice". Instead, you might say "I received advice but chose a different path".