I was advised to

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was advised to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when giving a past narrative of events, or when referencing a suggestion that someone gave you in the past. For example, "My doctor advised me to take it easy this week, so I'm following his instructions and resting more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was advised to complain yet again.

The Guardian - Money

I was advised to follow up in six months.

The New York Times

Shehu Danjura, a pilgrim from Nigeria, said: "I was advised to be very careful.

Independent

And so, I was advised to trot to the careers office.

Independent

I was advised to go to the big pharmacy attached to the university teaching hospital.

The Economist

"I was advised to stay clear of Ginger," Mr. Bulger said.

The New York Times

"I did what I was advised to do and everything was back in place.

The Guardian

I was advised to try the council where I had last paid bills regularly.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was advised to go into an EE store with my passport.

The Guardian - Money

I was advised to leave school at 16 and go on a youth training scheme.

The Guardian

I was advised to come back to the bar because it's family-friendly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I was advised to" with a specific action to provide context and clarity. For example, "I was advised to consult a specialist" is more informative than "I was advised."

Common error

Avoid using "I was advised to" without a clear indication of who provided the advice. While the passive voice is acceptable, providing context about the advisor can enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was advised to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) received advice from an unspecified source. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase for narrating past events or referencing suggestions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was advised to" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express that a recommendation or suggestion was received. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity can be improved by providing context about who gave the advice. The alternative phrases provide nuances for different situations while maintaining a similar core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received advice to

Focuses on receiving the advice, emphasizing the act of getting guidance.

I was counseled to

Suggests a more formal or professional setting where advice was given, often by a counselor or expert.

I was urged to

Emphasizes the strength of the recommendation, indicating a strong encouragement.

It was recommended that I

Presents the advice in an impersonal way, focusing on the recommendation itself rather than the advisor.

I was encouraged to

Highlights the positive and supportive nature of the advice, suggesting motivation and confidence-building.

I got the suggestion to

Uses more informal language, indicating a casual recommendation.

I was prompted to

Suggests an instigation or triggering event that led to the advice being given.

I was guided to

Implies a supportive and directional form of advice, akin to mentorship.

I was steered towards

Similar to 'guided', but suggests a course correction or redirection.

I was shown the way to

Indicates that the advice provided a clear path or method for achieving a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "I was advised to" in a sentence?

Use "I was advised to" when you want to express that someone gave you a suggestion or recommendation in the past. For example, "I was advised to seek a second opinion on my medical diagnosis".

What are some alternatives to "I was advised to"?

Some alternatives to "I was advised to" include phrases like "I received advice to", "I was counseled to", or "I was urged to", depending on the context and the strength of the recommendation.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was advised to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "I was advised to" uses the passive voice, indicating that someone gave advice to the speaker. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and commonly used.

What's the difference between "I was advised to" and "I decided to"?

"I was advised to" indicates that a suggestion or recommendation influenced your decision. "I decided to", on the other hand, implies an independent choice, without necessarily involving external advice. For example, "I was advised to invest in stocks, but "I decided to" put the money in bonds".