I was advised against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was advised against" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to receiving a recommendation or warning not to do something. Example: "I was advised against investing in that company due to its unstable financial situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"But I was advised against it by people who said, 'If he's already aggressive, why put him in something that is also aggressive?' " she said.

The New York Times

I personally experienced one of those 'special conversations' in which I was advised against continuing to speak out in the way that I had done.

The Guardian

I had a bad back through my two pregnancies and I was advised against running a marathon in the future, but I still haven't ruled it out altogether.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I was advised against it," he confesses, "because I have a tendency to disappear off, and in the past it's been quite difficult to keep my feet on the floor.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

I dearly wanted to film him, but was advised against it.

The Guardian

More evidence that he was advised against it does more damage.

The Guardian - Opinion

Piazza has proposed taking a cortisone shot but was advised against it by doctors.

The New York Times - Sports

She was advised against it by her colleagues Solti and James Levine.

The New York Times - Arts

On 14 November, the CQC replied stating the media was advised "against distorting the story".

BBC

When Delevingne initially expressed an interest in acting, she was advised against it.

Huffington Post

He was advised against this.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was advised against", clarify who provided the advice and, if possible, the reasoning behind it to provide context and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "I was advised against" without specifying who gave the advice. Vague attributions weaken the statement. Instead of saying "I was advised against it", specify "My doctor advised me against running a marathon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was advised against" functions as a passive construction indicating that the speaker received a recommendation or warning not to pursue a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The examples show its use in various contexts, all conveying a similar message of discouragement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was advised against" is a grammatically correct and acceptable way to express that you received a recommendation or warning not to do something. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not extremely common, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, clarity and attribution are important. Providing context about the source of the advice and the reasoning behind it strengthens the statement. Consider alternatives like "I was cautioned against" or "I was discouraged from" for subtle variations in meaning. This phrase is useful for explaining decisions, justifying actions, or providing background information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was discouraged from

Focuses on the feeling of being dissuaded.

I was dissuaded from

Similar to discouraged but perhaps with a stronger emphasis on persuasion.

I was warned not to

Emphasizes a clear warning about potential negative consequences.

I was cautioned against

Highlights the element of warning or potential danger.

I received counsel not to

More formal and emphasizes the reception of advice.

It was recommended that I avoid

More indirect and formal, focusing on the recommendation.

I was told not to

Simple and direct, indicating a straightforward instruction.

I was given a heads-up not to

Informal, suggesting a friendly warning.

I had reservations suggested

Implies that reservations were communicated to me by someone else.

The suggestion was against it

An impersonal construction focused on the suggestion itself.

FAQs

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

Consider using phrases like "I received counsel not to", "It was recommended that I avoid", or "I was cautioned against". These alternatives lend a more professional tone to your writing.

What does it mean when someone says "I was advised against" something?

It indicates that the speaker received advice or a recommendation not to pursue a particular course of action. It implies that someone, presumably an expert or someone with relevant knowledge, suggested that it would be unwise or detrimental to do so.

Is it better to say "I was advised against" or "I was warned against"?

Both are correct, but "I was warned against" carries a stronger sense of potential danger or negative consequences than "I was advised against", which is more general.

Can "I was advised against" be used in all contexts?

Yes, the phrase is generally acceptable in various contexts, ranging from informal conversations to more formal writing. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your message. In highly formal settings, you might opt for a more sophisticated alternative.