were advised to

USAGE SUMMARY

"were advised to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used in a sentence to indicate that someone was given a suggestion or recommendation. Example: During our trip to Italy, we were advised to try the local pasta dishes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were advised to smoke Deities.

The New Yorker

Women were advised to leave the square.

The Economist

We were advised to move slowly.

The Guardian

They were advised to answer questions honestly.

The New Yorker

People with asthma were advised to keep their windows closed.

University of California, Berkeley

Muslim women in headscarves were advised to stay indoors.

The New York Times

We were advised to abort and we did".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The clowns were advised to buy water-soluble makeup.

The New Yorker

Customers affected were advised to contact the airline.

The Guardian

They were advised to fudge the book's premise about Jesus.

The New York Times

The women were advised to knit or shop or something.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were advised to", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the advice and the basis for that advice. This adds credibility and helps the audience understand the rationale behind the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "was advised to" when referring to multiple people. "Was advised to" is singular, while "were advised to" is plural. Always ensure subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were advised to" functions as a passive construction indicating that a recommendation or suggestion was given to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and common phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in various contexts, from health to travel.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were advised to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that communicates a recommendation or suggestion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and commonality. Its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the source and rationale behind the advice is key. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to more formal contexts with alternatives such as "were instructed to". It's essential to maintain subject-verb agreement and avoid using the singular form "was advised to" for plural subjects. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively and accurately convey advice in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were recommended to

Replaces "advised" with "recommended", emphasizing the endorsement aspect.

were counseled to

Substitutes "advised" with "counseled", suggesting guidance was given.

were instructed to

Replaces "advised" with "instructed", implying a more direct order or command.

it was suggested that they

Changes the structure to an indirect suggestion.

they were urged to

Emphasizes a strong recommendation or encouragement.

they received guidance to

Focuses on the receipt of guidance rather than direct advice.

they were prompted to

Implies that some sort of cue was provided.

they were encouraged to

Indicates positive reinforcement to undertake an action.

advice was given to

Rephrases to focus on the action of giving advice rather than receiving it.

the recommendation was for them to

Shifts focus to the recommendation itself, making the recipient secondary.

FAQs

How do I use "were advised to" in a sentence?

"Were advised to" indicates that someone received a suggestion or recommendation. For example, "Passengers "were advised to check" with airlines before travelling."

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

More formal alternatives include "were instructed to" or "it was recommended that they". For instance, "They "were instructed to" answer questions honestly" sounds more formal than "They were advised to answer questions honestly."

Is there a difference between "were advised to" and "were told to"?

"Were advised to" suggests a recommendation based on expertise or knowledge, while "were told to" simply indicates an instruction. Advice carries an implication of thoughtful consideration, whereas being told is a more direct command. "Were told to" emphasizes authority.

What can I say instead of "were advised to" when giving a strong recommendation?

For stronger recommendations, consider using phrases like "were urged to" or "were strongly encouraged to". These alternatives convey a greater degree of emphasis than "were advised to". For example, "They "were urged to" evacuate the area."