were advised that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were advised that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying information that someone has been informed or counseled about something. Example: "The employees were advised that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The FA had wanted to send representatives to a personal hearing but were advised that would only be acceptable for an appeal.

Independent

Permission to interview was sought and villagers were advised that information they gave would be confidential and anonymised [ 4].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

No callers were advised that helicopter rescues were not feasible.

The New York Times

They were advised that the announcement had to be made.

The Guardian

The Tate wanted it, but were advised that its removal was impracticable.

The Guardian - Arts

Parents were advised that their children could enroll at two other Catholic schools in Kearny.

The New York Times

Councillors were advised that gamblers would be "less boisterous" than clubbers or pub drinkers.

The Guardian

Passengers were advised that from 9 31 a.m. to 3 31 p.m., all trains must leave immediately on time.

The New York Times

Young men were advised that "if you want to win Jean Marie, you better get a uniform".

The New York Times

buyers were not misled because they were advised that Goldman was placing large bets against the securities.

The New York Times

Tourists at high-rise resort hotels were advised that they would be safe above the third floor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were advised that", ensure the advice given is clear and actionable. Avoid ambiguity by specifying who provided the advice and what its intended outcome is.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "were advised that". While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were advised that" functions as a passive voice construction used to report that someone received advice or information. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to convey guidance or recommendations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were advised that" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone received advice or guidance. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in news, science, and formal business contexts. While effective, writers should avoid overusing passive voice for clarity and engagement. Alternatives such as "were informed that" or "were told that" can be used depending on the level of formality required. The Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy and usability of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were informed that

This alternative is a direct synonym, replacing "advised" with "informed" to indicate the reception of information.

were notified that

This alternative suggests a more official or formal communication of information.

were apprised that

This alternative is more formal and indicates being informed of something important or significant.

were told that

This alternative is less formal, using the verb "told" to indicate being given information.

it was recommended that

This implies a more formal endorsement or suggestion.

were counselled that

This alternative implies receiving advice or guidance on a particular matter.

were instructed that

This alternative suggests being given specific instructions or directions.

were alerted that

This phrase indicates being warned or made aware of a potential issue or situation.

received advice that

This option shifts the focus slightly to the act of receiving advice, rather than the act of advising.

it was suggested that

This alternative conveys that a recommendation or suggestion was made.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were advised that" is used to indicate that someone received guidance or information. For example, "The students "were advised that" the deadline had been extended".

What are some alternatives to "were advised that"?

You can use alternatives like "were informed that", "were told that", or "were notified that", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "advise"?

While "were advised that" (passive) is correct, sometimes active voice can be more direct. For example, instead of "They "were advised that" they should invest", you could say "The financial advisor advised them to invest".

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

While both indicate receiving information, ""were advised that"" suggests guidance or a recommendation was given, whereas "were informed that" simply means they received information, without the implication of advice.