he was advised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was advised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it anytime you need to say that someone was given advice or direction. For example: He was advised to take a break from work and focus on his mental health.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was advised by T.E.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Don't tweet and drive," he was advised.

The New York Times - Sports

He was advised that the second title had "malignant overtones".

The New York Times - Arts

He was advised by Belle Greene, librarian, where to wait.

The New Yorker

He was advised to take matters into his own hands.

The Guardian - Tech

He was advised to make his way to Russia overland, to familiarise himself with the region.

The Economist

Like many of his customers, he was advised by his doctor to limit caffeine.

The New York Times - Food

When he was 13, he was advised to apply to the Royal Academy Schools at 16.

The Guardian - Arts

He was advised to watch Tony Benn's speech opposing the Iraq war.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was advised that if he chose the side entrance he would be filmed and photographed.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was advised", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the advice. Adding the source of the advice enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid vagueness. If you write "he was advised" without specifying who gave the advice, it can weaken your statement. Always clarify the source when it matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was advised" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject received guidance or instruction from an unspecified agent. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction is widely used across various contexts to convey that someone received counsel or a recommendation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was advised" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive construction used to indicate that an individual received guidance or a recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts, lending it a neutral to slightly professional tone. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the source of the advice whenever relevant to enhance the statement's credibility. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "he received counsel" for a more formal tone or "he was told" for a simpler expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received counsel

Replaces 'advised' with 'counsel', suggesting a more formal or professional context.

he was given guidance

Focuses on the direction provided, rather than the act of advising.

he was recommended

Suggests that a specific action or choice was suggested as being beneficial.

he was instructed

Implies a more direct and authoritative form of advice or command.

advice was given to him

Rephrases the sentence in a more passive and formal structure.

he was told

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone received information or a suggestion.

he was briefed

Suggests he received instruction or information, often in a formal setting.

he consulted with

Implies a discussion or deliberation before receiving advice.

he sought advice

Changes the focus to the person actively seeking advice.

he was enlightened

This suggests that he was given information that made him understand something.

FAQs

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

You can use "he was advised" to indicate that someone received guidance or a suggestion. For example, "He was advised to invest in renewable energy."

What's a more formal alternative to "he was advised"?

A more formal alternative is "he received counsel", which suggests a more professional context.

Is it always necessary to specify who "advised" someone?

While not always necessary, specifying the advisor adds credibility and clarity to your statement. Consider specifying unless the source is irrelevant or confidential.

What's the difference between "he was advised" and "he was told"?

"He was advised" implies guidance or a recommendation, while "he was told" simply means he received information, without necessarily implying it was a suggestion or recommendation.