well advised

USAGE SUMMARY

"well advised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe someone who has taken careful advice or is acting prudently. For example, "He was well advised to invest his savings in a low-risk portfolio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

"They probably aren't well advised".

The New York Times

Not every fusion was well advised.

The New York Times - Arts

Politicians are well advised to remain aloof.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not all the selections are well advised.

The New York Times

But it may be well advised to tread cautiously.

The Economist

A President is well advised to choose his words carefully.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The instruction was well-advised.

The Economist

This advisory proved well-advised.

The Guardian

Despite their high Rumsfeldian style, Miller's caveats were well-advised.

The New Yorker

"The big groups are generally well-advised, lawyered up.

The New York Times

Neither was well-advised to use that chocolate story.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well advised" when you want to suggest someone is making a sensible decision based on good information or guidance. For instance, "Investors are "well advised" to diversify their portfolios."

Common error

Avoid using "well advised" to imply a strict obligation. It suggests a strong recommendation, not a requirement. Overusing it can weaken the impact of genuine imperatives.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "well advised" is as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun and indicating that someone has received and is acting according to sound advice. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "well advised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as validated by Ludwig. It functions primarily as a predicate adjective, conveying the idea that someone has received and is acting upon good advice. Its purpose is to recommend a course of action by emphasizing its wisdom and prudence. While it appears across various contexts, it's most commonly found in news and media sources. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatile application, reinforcing its status as a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wise to

Emphasizes the sagacity of a particular action.

prudent

Focuses on wisdom and carefulness in decision-making.

doing the smart thing

Emphasizes the intelligence behind a decision.

sensible

Highlights the rationality and practicality of a choice.

judicious

Implies a careful and thoughtful approach.

being canny

Highlights shrewdness and cleverness.

acting prudently

Highlights the action of behaving carefully and avoiding risks.

circumspect

Highlights caution and wariness in decisions and actions.

taking the right course of action

Focuses on choosing a beneficial approach.

on the right track

Suggests progress in a favorable direction due to sound choices.

FAQs

How can I use "well advised" in a sentence?

Use "well advised" to indicate that someone would benefit from a particular action or decision due to its prudence or wisdom. Example: "The company is "well advised" to seek legal counsel before proceeding."

What is a good substitute for "well advised"?

Alternatives to "well advised" include "prudent", "wise to", or "sensible" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "well advised" or "poorly advised"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Well advised" suggests a beneficial action or decision, while "poorly advised" indicates an ill-considered one. It depends on whether the person received and acted on good advice or bad advice.

What's the difference between "well advised" and "well-advised"?

"Well advised" (two words) is generally used as a predicate adjective, meaning someone is well advised. "Well-advised" (hyphenated) is typically used as an attributive adjective, describing something that is well-advised, like a "well-advised plan."