advised them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "advised them" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used to express giving someone advice or guidance: The career counselor advised them to take a semester off to consider their options.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She advised them to heed her warning.

The New York Times - Sports

They advised them to screen customers carefully.

The New York Times

He advised them to hang up.

The Guardian - Opinion

And who advised them to do this?

The New Yorker

He advised them to go to Dhaka.

The New York Times

The judge advised them to keep working.

The Guardian

I advised them to try self-discipline.

The Guardian - Books

"You will keep this ever in mind," Stryker advised them.

The New York Times

Clinton advised them to stick with the second argument.

The New Yorker

"I advised them on MotoGP," he pointed out.

The Guardian - Sport

Clinton advised them to band together as "a constant drumbeat".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "advised them", consider the specific context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the nature and intensity of the guidance provided.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid repetitive use of "advised them". Vary your language by using synonyms like "recommended to them" or "counseled them" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "advised them" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of providing counsel or guidance. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts to express the action of giving advice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "advised them" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the act of providing guidance or recommendations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like "recommended to them" or "suggested to them" offer nuanced alternatives, "advised them" remains a clear and effective choice. This guide, supported by real-world examples and expert analysis, aims to enhance your understanding and usage of this common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave them advice

Replaces the verb "advised" with the more explicit phrase "gave advice", slightly increasing formality.

offered them guidance

Substitutes "advice" with "guidance", suggesting a more comprehensive and supportive approach.

recommended to them

Uses a different verb, "recommended", emphasizing a specific course of action rather than general advice.

counseled them

Implies a more formal and in-depth advisory role, often in personal or professional matters.

suggested to them

Offers a milder, less assertive form of advice, implying a possibility rather than a directive.

urged them

Conveys a stronger sense of encouragement or insistence, implying a sense of urgency or importance.

encouraged them

Focuses on boosting confidence and motivation, rather than providing specific instructions.

instructed them

Implies a more authoritative and directive approach, often in a teaching or training context.

mentored them

Suggests a long-term, supportive relationship where advice is tailored to personal growth and development.

steered them

Implies guiding someone away from potential problems or towards a better path.

FAQs

How can I use "advised them" in a sentence?

You can use "advised them" to indicate that someone provided guidance or recommendations to a group. For example, "The doctor advised them to eat healthier food".

What are some alternatives to "advised them"?

Some alternatives to "advised them" include "recommended to them", "suggested to them", and "counseled them". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "advised them" or "gave them advice"?

Both "advised them" and "gave them advice" are correct. "Advised them" is more concise, while "gave them advice" might be preferred in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of giving advice.

What's the difference between "advised them" and "warned them"?

"Advised them" implies offering guidance or recommendations, while "warned them" suggests alerting someone to potential danger or negative consequences. The choice depends on the nature of the information being conveyed.