not advisable

USAGE SUMMARY

"not advisable" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not recommended. For example: Eating junk food every day is not advisable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not advisable.

The New York Times - Sports

Surrender is not advisable.

The New York Times

But it's not advisable.

Harvard Business Review

"Medically, that's not advisable.

The New Yorker

This is apparently not advisable.

The New York Times

(Though it's probably not advisable).

The Guardian - Sport

"That is not advisable," he said.

The New York Times

Giving the Yankees extra chances is not advisable.

The New York Times - Sports

You?" These actions, of course, are not advisable.

Harvard Business Review

But simply chasing dividend yields is not advisable.

The New York Times

It is not advisable to build an unnecessarily large shield.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not advisable" when you want to gently discourage a specific action based on potential negative consequences, without imposing a strict prohibition.

Common error

Avoid using "not advisable" in contexts that demand a strong prohibition or command. Opt for stronger language like "prohibited" or "forbidden" when setting strict rules.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not advisable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied or stated action. It serves to express a recommendation against a particular course of action, without imposing a strict prohibition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not advisable" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to discourage a specific action due to potential negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used in written English. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Alternatives such as "not recommended" and "ill-advised" offer nuanced variations in meaning, allowing for precise communication. When employing this phrase, avoid overusing it in contexts that demand stronger directives, opting instead for firmer language when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not recommended

A more direct synonym, focusing on the act of recommending against something.

inadvisable

A less common but direct synonym of "not advisable".

ill-advised

Emphasizes the poor judgment or lack of wisdom in a particular action.

unwise

Highlights the lack of prudence or good sense.

not prudent

Focuses on the lack of careful and cautious consideration.

not a good idea

A more informal way to express that something should be avoided.

not a wise course of action

Focuses on the lack of wisdom when referring to a plan or strategy.

better to avoid

Implies that avoiding something is the preferred option.

not the best approach

Suggests that a particular method or strategy is suboptimal.

something to avoid

Highlights the avoidance aspect of the phrase, implying potential negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "not advisable" in a sentence?

You can use "not advisable" to gently discourage an action or suggest a better alternative. For example, "It is "not advisable" to swim in that river due to the strong currents".

What is a more formal alternative to "not advisable"?

A more formal alternative is "inadvisable". It carries the same meaning but is suited for more formal or technical contexts.

When should I use "not advisable" versus "not recommended"?

"Not advisable" suggests a course of action may lead to undesirable outcomes. "Not recommended" is typically used when an authority or expert advises against something based on experience or evidence. The semantic difference is minimal but the choice depends on the context of the source.

Is "not advisable" the same as "ill-advised"?

While similar, "ill-advised" typically emphasizes a lack of good judgement, whereas "not advisable" focuses more on the potential negative consequences of an action.