was advised by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was advised by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received guidance or recommendations from another person or source. Example: "She was advised by her mentor to pursue further studies in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was advised by T.E.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nortel was advised by Lazard.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Opnet was advised by Lazard and Cooley.

The New York Times

HSBC was advised by JPMorgan Chase.

The New York Times

"I was advised by the police".

The Guardian

Saputo was advised by Rabobank and Rothschild.

The New York Times

Yahoo was advised by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

The New York Times

Virgin Money was advised by Greenhill & Company.

The New York Times

Lubrizol was advised by Citigroup and Evercore Partners.

The New York Times

PRA was advised by Jefferies and Latham & Watkins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was advised by" in contexts where the authority or expertise of the advisor is relevant, adding weight to the decision or action taken.

Common error

Avoid using "was advised by" vaguely. Always specify who provided the advice to maintain clarity and credibility. For example, instead of saying "he was advised by experts", specify "he was advised by financial analysts at Goldman Sachs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was advised by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received guidance or recommendations from someone. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a grammatically correct and common way to express that someone received advice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was advised by" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received guidance or recommendations from a specific source. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, but is particularly frequent in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's best to clearly identify both the receiver and the advisor to maintain clarity and credibility. While alternatives like "was counseled by" or "received guidance from" exist, "was advised by" remains a versatile and widely accepted option for expressing the influence of advice on decisions and actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was counseled by

Uses a synonym for "advised", maintaining a formal tone and passive structure.

received guidance from

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on the act of receiving guidance.

took counsel from

Emphasizes seeking and accepting advice, adding a sense of deliberation.

sought advice from

Highlights the proactive search for recommendations, implying a deliberate action.

consulted with

Indicates a discussion or meeting to get advice, suggesting a more interactive process.

had recommendations from

Focuses on the recommendations received, rather than the act of advising.

was given direction by

Emphasizes the provision of direction or instructions, rather than general advice.

benefited from the advice of

Emphasizes the positive outcome of receiving advice, focusing on the benefit gained.

obtained input from

Highlights the gathering of input and opinions, suggesting a broader range of advice.

acted on the suggestion of

Focuses on the action taken based on a suggestion, implying a direct influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the expression "was advised by" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "was counseled by", "received guidance from", or "consulted with", which often carry a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "was advised by" and "was informed by"?

"Was advised by" suggests receiving a recommendation or guidance, while "was informed by" indicates receiving information or knowledge. The former implies a suggestion for action, the latter simply means being notified.

Is it correct to use "was advised by" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "was advised by" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal settings. However, in very informal contexts, you might opt for simpler phrasing like "got advice from".

What are some alternatives to "was advised by" that emphasize the importance of the advisor?

Phrases like "relied on the counsel of" or "acted on the recommendation of" can emphasize the importance and influence of the advisor.