we were advised to

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were advised to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to advice someone gave you. For example, "The doctor advised us to drink more water throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

We were advised to smoke Deities.

The New Yorker

We were advised to abort and we did".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, Ernst always went first, and we were advised to keep close to his tracks.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were advised to wait, and we have waited, a long time.

The New Yorker

We were advised to travel by train to Heathrow and that the cost of our tickets would be refunded.

The Guardian - Money

It's something that we've been advised to do and the route was one we were advised to take.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Travel

At election time, we're advised to vote for the best local member.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're advised to join a postgraduate writing group and meet other students for coffee.

The Guardian

And when we are advised to do something, it barely makes a dent in the problem.

The Guardian

And we are advised to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing with active voice to highlight the advisor, like "Our doctor advised us to..." for a more direct and impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "we were advised to" without specifying the source, as this can weaken the impact of your statement. Always clarify who gave the advice, especially when it's from an authority or expert.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were advised to" functions as a passive construction indicating that a recommendation or suggestion was given. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to convey that an action was suggested by someone knowledgeable or in a position of authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were advised to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a recommendation or suggestion was received. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific publications. While generally neutral in register, its impact can be enhanced by specifying the advisor. Remember to use this phrase accurately to convey the reception of advice and consider the context to ensure appropriate formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received guidance to

Replaces 'advised' with 'received guidance', emphasizing the reception of instruction.

we were counseled to

Substitutes 'advised' with 'counseled', suggesting more formal or serious advice.

it was suggested to us that we

Changes the structure to a more indirect form of suggestion.

we were encouraged to

Replaces 'advised' with 'encouraged', highlighting the positive motivation behind the suggestion.

we were prompted to

Indicates that there was an incitement or reason behind the advice

we were urged to

Implies a strong recommendation or insistence

the recommendation was for us to

Uses a more formal structure focusing on the recommendation itself.

it was our understanding that we should

Shifts the focus to the interpretation of advice as an obligation.

we took the advice to

Emphasizes the action of following advice, rather than just receiving it

we were given to understand that we should

Uses a more roundabout phrasing to express the reception of advice.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were advised to" to indicate that you received a recommendation or suggestion. For instance, "We were advised to seek a second opinion" shows that someone suggested getting another medical evaluation.

What's a more formal alternative to "we were advised to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "we were counseled to" or "it was suggested to us that we". These options add a layer of formality and seriousness to the advice received.

How do I specify who gave the advice when using "we were advised to"?

To specify the source, simply add a phrase indicating the advisor: "Our doctor advised us to...", "Our financial advisor advised us to...", or "The experts advised us to...".

Is "we were advised to" different from "we were told to"?

Yes, "we were advised to" implies a recommendation based on expertise or knowledge, while "we were told to" simply indicates an instruction or command, without necessarily implying expertise. You can say "we were ordered to" as alternative for "we were told to".