was advised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was advised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received advice or guidance in the past. Example: "After reviewing the situation, I was advised to seek legal counsel before proceeding."

✓ 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

Nortel was advised by Lazard.

The New York Times

Barbin was advised to back down.

The New Yorker

Mr. Schulman was advised by Pearce L.L.P.

The New York Times

Opnet was advised by Lazard and Cooley.

The New York Times

I was advised not to.

The New York Times

HSBC was advised by JPMorgan Chase.

The New York Times

"I was advised by the police".

The Guardian

"Embrace your ethnicity, man," Bech was advised.

The New Yorker

Saputo was advised by Rabobank and Rothschild.

The New York Times

"Don't answer it," I was advised.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was advised", clearly state who provided the advice to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "I was advised by my lawyer" is clearer than "I was advised."

Common error

Avoid implying that the advice is universally sound or authoritative without proper justification. Instead of saying "It was advised to invest in X", specify who gave the advice, such as "Financial analysts advised investing in X."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was advised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received advice or guidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, from legal matters to medical recommendations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was advised" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that someone received counsel or a recommendation. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is considered correct. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it communicates that a person or entity's decision or action was influenced by the advice received. For clarity, it's best practice to specify who provided the advice. While versatile, consider synonyms like "was recommended" or "was counseled" for nuanced expression. Remember, while the phrase itself is straightforward, its effective use lies in providing sufficient context and avoiding unsubstantiated generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received guidance

Focuses on the act of receiving direction or advice.

was recommended

Similar to 'was suggested', but often carries a stronger endorsement.

was counseled

Implies a more formal or professional advisory setting.

was suggested

Indicates a recommendation or proposal was made.

was informed

Highlights the act of being given information.

was notified

Emphasizes a formal announcement or notification.

was urged

Implies a strong encouragement or prompting.

was told

A simpler, more direct way of saying someone received information.

took advice from

Highlights the active role of seeking and accepting advice.

sought guidance

Focuses on the individual's initiative in seeking advice.

FAQs

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

Use "was advised" to indicate that someone received counsel or a recommendation. For example, "The patient "was advised to rest"" or "The company "was advised by legal counsel"".

What are some alternatives to "was advised"?

Alternatives include "was informed", "was recommended", "was counseled", or "was told". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nature of the advice given.

Is it better to use "was advised" or "were advised"?

"Was advised" is singular (e.g., "He was advised"), while "were advised" is plural (e.g., "They were advised"). The correct choice depends on whether the subject is singular or plural.

What's the difference between "was advised" and "was recommended"?

While both indicate receiving guidance, "was advised" implies a broader range of counsel, while "was recommended" suggests a specific course of action or choice. For instance, you might be advised on a general strategy but recommended a particular product.