I was advised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was advised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has given advice to you that you have accepted. For example, "My doctor told me to take a multivitamin every day, so I was advised to start taking one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was advised by the police".

The Guardian

"Don't answer it," I was advised.

The New York Times - Sports

I was advised not to.

The New York Times

I was advised to be open-minded.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I was advised to kick him out.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was advised to complain yet again.

The Guardian - Money

I was advised not to smoke it all at once.

Independent

I was advised to follow up in six months.

The New York Times

I was advised that everything checked out fine.

The New York Times

"I was advised to capi­tal­ize on and expose the scheme.

The Washington Post

"I was advised the situation was not particularly good today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “I was advised”, clearly state the source of the advice, especially if it adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice. While "I was advised" is grammatically correct, actively stating who gave the advice (e.g., "My doctor advised me...") often makes your writing more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was advised" functions as a statement of receiving guidance or recommendations. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase typically introduces an action taken based on that advice. It commonly serves to explain or justify a decision made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was advised" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that an action or decision was based on guidance received from someone else. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to inform and justify, often lending credibility to the speaker's actions. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose the most appropriate phrase for clarity and impact. Be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider actively stating who provided the advice when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received advice

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, emphasizing the reception of advice.

I was counseled

Implies more formal or professional guidance was given.

I was given guidance

Focuses on the act of being guided, less specific than advice.

It was recommended to me

Shifts the emphasis to the recommendation rather than the advising party.

I had it suggested

More informal way to indicate that a suggestion was made.

I was told

A more direct and less formal way of saying someone provided information or instruction.

I learned

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge or understanding through advice.

I understood

Emphasizes comprehension of information leading to a decision.

My understanding was

Focuses on the individual's interpretation after receiving advice.

I gathered

Implies collecting information from various sources, leading to a decision.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was advised" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I was counseled" or "it was recommended to me". These options convey a sense of professional guidance.

Is "I was advised" the same as "I was informed"?

While both phrases indicate receiving information, "I was advised" implies receiving guidance or a recommendation, while "I was informed" simply means receiving information without necessarily implying a recommendation. For example, "I was informed of the meeting time" versus "I was advised to attend the meeting early".

When should I use "I was advised" versus "I was told"?

"I was advised" is used when you receive a suggestion or recommendation. "I was told" is more general and simply means you received information. Using "I was advised" suggests that the information influenced a decision or action.

What are some alternatives to "I was advised" for less formal contexts?

In less formal situations, you could use phrases like "I was told", "I heard", or "someone suggested" as more casual alternatives.