we were advised

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were advised' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it when you want to indicate that someone has given you advice or instructions. For example: We were advised to avoid large crowds during the pandemic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were advised to smoke Deities.

The New Yorker

We were advised to move slowly.

The Guardian

We were advised of one case by barristers yesterday morning.

The Guardian - Business

We were advised to abort and we did".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We were advised not to get out of the car.

The New Yorker

"We were advised that valid licenses were in their possession, and only this morning we were advised that these licenses had been temporarily suspended," Mr. Stevens said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"A year ago we felt the contemporary market was a bubble and we were advising clients to stay away," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Now we are advised not to eat them.

The Guardian

"Don't fall in," we are advised as we gather around the dark waters of Leeds Dock.

The Guardian

We are advised that higher education should be restricted, but this raises a pertinent social question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead we're advised to go to Langi Langi, five minute's stroll away.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were advised" when you want to emphasize the source of the recommendation or instruction.

Common error

Avoid using "we were advised" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and less direct. Consider rephrasing to highlight the actor giving the advice, for example, "Our lawyer advised us to..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were advised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received advice from an unspecified source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were advised" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate the reception of guidance or recommendations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent occurrence across diverse sources, including news, science, and formal business contexts, highlights its versatility. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to consider who provided the advice and whether the advice was followed to provide context. While grammatically correct, be mindful of overusing passive voice in writing and explore active alternatives when appropriate. "We were advised" serves as a useful tool for conveying how external guidance shaped actions or decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were given advice

Directly states the act of receiving advice.

advice was provided to us

This is a more formal way of saying the same thing with a passive voice.

we received guidance

Emphasizes the reception of guidance, shifting the focus slightly from the act of advising.

we were instructed

Highlights a more directive form of advice, implying a stronger imperative.

we were counseled

Suggests a more formal or professional setting where advice is given.

we were informed

Focuses on the reception of information rather than specific advice.

it was suggested to us

Uses an impersonal construction to convey the same meaning.

we got the recommendation

Highlights that a specific recommendation was given.

we sought counsel

This implies a proactive seeking of advice.

we consulted with experts

Implies seeking advice from those with specialized knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "we were advised" in a sentence?

Use "we were advised" to indicate that someone provided guidance or recommendations. For instance, "We were advised to consult with a financial advisor before making any major investments."

What are some alternatives to "we were advised"?

You can use alternatives such as "we received guidance", "we were instructed", or "we were counseled", depending on the context and the nature of the advice given.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing advice received?

While "we were advised" (passive voice) is acceptable, using the active voice (e.g., "Our consultant advised us") can make your writing more direct and engaging. The best choice depends on the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "we were advised" and "we were informed"?

"We were advised" implies receiving a recommendation or guidance, while "we were informed" simply means receiving information. Advice is a form of guidance, while information is factual knowledge.