you were advised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you were advised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a past situation where someone received guidance or information. Example: "As per our previous conversation, you were advised to submit your report by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

You were advised not to swim in rivers or reservoirs and you didn't question it.

The Guardian - Travel

If you were a strapping lad you were advised that there might be a job in the police, or possibly the army.

The Guardian - Books

Companies House said you were advised you would need to write again at least two weeks before the end of the suspension to extend this, but you failed to do so.

Independent

He alleges that you only complained about the quality of the course after you were advised that you were unlikely to pass – and that your feedback reports had been positive.

Independent

"Mr Mitchell said you told him that you were advised this was a stupid plan and that it would be better to frame Dewani – to tell the police that it was Mr Dewani who asked you to kill his wife to take the spotlight off you and the others".

The Guardian

Do you have a particular film in mind that you were advised not to do? Do you want to name it?

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Q: If you were advising those who are tackling the current swine flu, what would you tell them?

Science Magazine

And if you were advising investors, you'd say, "Now, I like this guy more than the other two guys"?

Forbes

Finally, if you were advising someone on vacation spending, what percentage of household income would you suggest?

Los Angeles Times

You are advised to make no contact.

The Guardian - Business

With screenplays, you are advised to ignore stage directions".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "you were advised", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the advice and what the advice entailed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "you were advised" in situations where the active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "you were advised to consult a lawyer", consider "we advise you to consult a lawyer".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were advised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received advice from an unspecified source. Ludwig shows this phrase is used to convey information about a past recommendation or instruction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you were advised" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone received advice or a recommendation. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the source of advice when relevant. While versatile, it's essential to consider the tone and choose simpler alternatives like "you were told" for informal situations. Remember to use the active voice for better clarity and conciseness where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were informed

Focuses on the act of conveying information, rather than explicit advice.

you were instructed

Indicates that you were given a specific directive or order.

you were notified

Emphasizes the act of being officially informed about something.

advice was given to you

Passive construction that focuses on the giving of advice.

it was suggested to you

Highlights the suggestion aspect, implying a less direct form of advice.

you received guidance

Focuses on the reception of guidance, a more general term than advice.

you were given counsel

Uses a more formal term, "counsel", for advice.

you had been told

Indicates that someone conveyed information to you in the past.

you were schooled

An informal way of saying that you were taught or instructed, usually implying that it was a necessary correction.

you heard

A simple way to indicate that you received information.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "it was recommended that", "you were instructed to", or "you were counseled to" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who advised you when using "you were advised"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who provided the advice adds clarity and credibility to your statement. If the source is irrelevant or implied, it can be omitted.

What's the difference between "you were advised" and "you were warned"?

"You were advised" implies receiving guidance or a recommendation, while "you were warned" suggests receiving a caution about a potential danger or negative consequence. The former is neutral, while the latter carries a negative connotation.

Can "you were advised" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "you were advised" is versatile and suitable for various contexts. However, in highly informal settings, simpler phrases like "you were told" or "you heard" might be more appropriate.