we were advised by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were advised by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone provided guidance or recommendations to you or your group. Example: "After reviewing the situation, we were advised by our legal team to proceed with caution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"We were advised by the Qatar embassy that Ali has arrived home.

The Guardian

The molding in the dining room — "dentil," we were advised by some expert — was untouched.

The New York Times

"We were advised by the government not to go at the present time," said a spokesman for MCC.

The Guardian - Sport

Catch a wave, we were advised by the Beach Boys a long time ago, and you're sitting on top of the world.

The Guardian - Sport

"But we were advised by Airbnb to go ahead and pay in full, which gave us immense confidence that we were doing the right thing," she said.

The Guardian - Tech

"We were advised by the New York Police Department that they are expecting a fair number of demonstrators near Pfizer at 42nd and Second Avenue," said Andrew McCormick, a spokesman for the company.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"We're advised by our statistical advisers that that is a fairly insignificant fall across the JCS area and given the fact that these are projections, we'd be well advised to continue as we've got plans for".

BBC

My days and nights revolve around nursing and pumping; we are advised by medical authorities to continue for a year.

The New York Times

The Post Office told us: "If we are advised by the person responsible for handling the estate that they wish to terminate the phone line, we do so straight away without any fees being incurred.

The Guardian - Money

"We have been working for more than a year on the technology (at the MILA lab of the University of Montréal, we are advised by Yoshua Bengio, an AI pioneer)," he adds.

TechCrunch

We can expect to catch something if we're advised, by doctors for example, but refuse to stay away from that kind of activity.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were advised by", clearly state the source of the advice to enhance credibility and provide context. For example, "We were advised by our legal counsel to proceed cautiously."

Common error

Avoid using "we were advised by" without specifying who provided the advice, as it can weaken your statement and raise questions about the reliability of the information. Always identify the source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were advised by" functions as a passive construction indicating that a piece of advice or guidance was received. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. Examples show it attributing advice to various entities, such as embassies, departments, or experts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were advised by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that guidance or recommendations were received from a specific source. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a usable phrase in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it serves to attribute actions or decisions to external advice. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify the source of the advice to enhance credibility. Alternatives include "we received counsel from" and "we were guided by". Therefore, you can confidently use this phrase in your writing, ensuring clarity and proper attribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were guided by

Emphasizes the direction or path provided by the advice.

we received counsel from

Replaces 'advised' with 'counsel', implying more formal or professional guidance.

we were instructed by

Implies a more authoritative or mandatory form of advice.

we took the advice of

Highlights the act of accepting and implementing the advice.

we sought guidance from

Emphasizes the active pursuit of advice or direction.

we were given recommendations by

Highlights the provision of specific recommendations.

we were informed by

Focuses on the reception of information rather than specific guidance.

it was suggested to us by

Indicates a more passive reception of the advice.

we consulted with and were told

Specifies a consultation process leading to the advice received.

we learned from

Focuses on gaining knowledge or insight, which may include advisory elements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were advised by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we received counsel from" or "we sought guidance from", which imply a higher level of professional consultation.

What is a less formal alternative to "we were advised by"?

In less formal contexts, you could use phrases such as "we were told by" or "it was suggested to us by", which are more conversational.

Is it necessary to specify who provided the advice when using "we were advised by"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source of the advice adds credibility and context to your statement. It helps the audience understand the basis for your actions or decisions.

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

"We were instructed by" implies a more authoritative directive, whereas "we were advised by" suggests a recommendation or suggestion. The choice depends on the nature of the guidance received.