I was advised by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was advised by" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to talk about someone giving you advice or guidance. For example, "I was advised by my professor to apply to graduate school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"I was advised by the police".

The Guardian

I was advised by Imran's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), not to respond.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And I was advised by General Smith that there were maybe a total of 40.

The New York Times

After diagnosis I was advised by medical professionals not to rush into telling people about my condition.

Independent

Later, I was advised by the police in London that I might be targeted for assassination by Mugabe's agents.

The Guardian

"Don't feel constricted by the life," I was advised by this magazine upon agreeing to write about Professor Cassidy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

In 1994 my husband and I were advised by our financial adviser to take out a unit-linked life insurance plan with what was then United Friendly (now London Royal Plus).

The Guardian - Money

Mr Gibbins wrote: "I am advised by Mr Burrell that he has been unable to trace them".

The Guardian

I'm advised by my friend, Senator [Mathias] Cormann, that he has today agreed to waive the program payments made to date.

The Guardian

"Please know that I am advised by my personal attorney and by distinguished Boston counsel I have recently hired as to my rights," he wrote.

The New York Times

I'm advised by my friend Senator Cormann that he has today agreed to waive the program payments made to date.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was advised by", clearly state the source of the advice to add credibility and context to your statement. For example, "I was advised by my financial advisor to invest in bonds."

Common error

Avoid using "I was advised by" when active voice would be clearer and more direct. Instead of "I was advised by the doctor to rest", consider "The doctor advised me to rest" or simply "The doctor told me to rest".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was advised by" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that the speaker received guidance or counsel from a specific source. It places emphasis on the advice received rather than the action of advising. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was advised by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you received guidance or counsel from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly state the source of the advice. Related phrases include "I received counsel from" and "I sought guidance from", which offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. A common error to avoid is using the passive voice unnecessarily when an active voice construction would be more direct. Understanding these nuances will help you use "I was advised by" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I heeded the advice of

Underscores the act of paying attention to and following the given advice.

I received counsel from

Replaces "advised" with the more formal "counsel", emphasizing a more professional or serious consultation.

I sought guidance from

Highlights the active seeking of advice, implying initiative on the speaker's part.

I deferred to the judgment of

Suggests trusting someone's expertise and letting them make the decision.

I took the recommendation of

Focuses on acting upon advice given, rather than just receiving it.

I followed the suggestion of

Emphasizes a specific suggestion being followed, rather than general advice.

I consulted with

Highlights a discussion or meeting held to gain advice.

I was informed by

Focuses on receiving information, which may or may not directly translate into advice.

I learned from

Broadens the scope to learning in general, not necessarily specific advice.

I was instructed by

Implies a more authoritative or formal direction was given, akin to orders.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "I received counsel from", "I was instructed by", or "I sought guidance from". These alternatives, like "I received counsel from", often carry a more professional connotation.

What's a less formal way to say "I was advised by"?

In informal contexts, you might say "Someone told me", "I got advice from", or "I was clued in by". These are more casual and suitable for everyday conversation.

Is it always necessary to include "by" after "I was advised"?

Yes, the preposition "by" is crucial for indicating the source of the advice. Omitting it can lead to grammatical incorrectness or ambiguity. For instance, "I was advised" is incomplete without specifying who provided the advice.

Which is a better choice, "I was advised by" or "I sought advice from"?

The choice depends on the context. "I was advised by" implies that someone offered advice, while "I sought advice from" implies you actively looked for guidance. The phrase "I sought advice from" emphasizes your initiative in seeking counsel.