was being advised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being advised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was receiving advice in the past, often in a passive construction. Example: "During the meeting, it was clear that she was being advised on the best course of action for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

He wonders whether he was being advised to craftily gouge customers or just steal.

The New Yorker

The Bank of Scotland was being advised by Credit Suisse First Boston Europe and Morgan Stanley.

The New York Times

The company said it was being advised by Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

The New York Times

For the entire early part of that 2014 season, Cook was being advised to go or the selectors were being urged to sack him.

Independent

As he moved around the United States, Kanter was being advised by Ergul, a Turkish basketball middleman who is described in contrasts.

The New York Times - Sports

But now she was being advised to register at a two-year college, the Borough of Manhattan Community College, rather than at Hunter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Human Genome Sciences is being advised by Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs.

The New York Times

HSBC is being advised by JPMorgan Chase.

The New York Times

The company is being advised by UBS.

The New York Times

"I'm sure she's being advised.

The New York Times

Gold Fields is being advised by Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being advised" when you want to emphasize that someone received ongoing or repeated advice over a period of time. This passive construction shifts the focus to the receiver of the advice rather than the giver.

Common error

Avoid using "was being advised" when a one-time event of giving advice is intended. Instead, use "was given advice" to denote a single instance of counsel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being advised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received guidance or counsel. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing situations where individuals or organizations received advice from experts or advisors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was being advised" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe the process of receiving guidance or counsel. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media. When writing, it's important to distinguish this phrase from similar constructions like "was advised" or "was given advice", as "was being advised" emphasizes an ongoing process. The related phrases provided offer alternative ways to express the same idea, each with a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given advice

Focuses on the act of imparting recommendations.

was counseled

Highlights the provision of professional or expert advice.

received guidance

Emphasizes the act of obtaining direction or advice.

had the benefit of advice

Emphasizes the advantage gained from receiving guidance.

was under advisement

Implies a state of being considered or reviewed for advice.

sought counsel

Highlights the active seeking of advice.

was directed

Suggests a more authoritative form of guidance.

was steered

Implies guidance to change course or direction.

was mentored

Indicates a longer-term advisory relationship.

was shown the way

Suggests guidance in terms of direction or approach.

FAQs

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

Use "was being advised" to indicate that someone received ongoing or repeated advice in the past. For example, "The company "was being advised" by legal counsel throughout the negotiations".

What is a synonym for "was being advised"?

Synonyms include "was counseled", "received guidance", or "was given advice". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "was being advised" formal or informal?

"Was being advised" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

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

"Was being advised" suggests an ongoing process of receiving advice, while "was advised" implies a one-time event or general state of having received advice. The former emphasizes duration; the latter, a single instance or result.