Have you ever wondered if to write “please advise” or “please advice” in an email, message, or professional conversation? These two expressions look almost identical, but only one is correct when you want someone to guide you or tell you what to do. Understanding the difference will help you communicate more clearly and confidently.
The main difference between advise and advice is their grammatical function. Advise is a verb that means to recommend, guide, or suggest something. Advice is a noun that refers to a recommendation, opinion, or guidance. Therefore, “please advise” is correct when asking someone for guidance, while “please advice” is generally incorrect in standard English. For example, you can write, “Please advise me on the next steps,” or “Could you please provide your advice?” Both sentences are correct because they use each word according to its grammatical role. In this guide, you will learn their meanings, differences, common mistakes, and practical examples to help you choose the right expression every time.
Quick Answer
“Please advise” is correct when asking someone to provide guidance, instructions, or a recommendation. Advise is a verb, while advice is a noun. Do not write “please advice” when requesting guidance. Instead, say “please advise” or “please share your advice.” For example: “Please advise me on how to proceed.”
Why Do People Confuse “Please Advise” and “Please Advice”?
People often confuse these expressions because advise and advice have similar spellings, meanings, and pronunciations. Both words relate to giving or receiving guidance, but they perform different grammatical functions.
The main difference is simple:
- Advise: A verb describing the action of giving guidance.
- Advice: A noun describing the guidance or recommendation itself.
Consider these examples:
- Correct: “Please advise me about the application process.”
- Incorrect: “Please advice me about the application process.”
- Correct: “Thank you for your advice about the application process.”
The mistake happens when writers use the noun advice where the sentence requires the verb advise.
1. What Does “Advise” Mean?
Advise is a verb meaning to recommend something, offer guidance, or tell someone what they should consider doing.
It is commonly used in professional emails, business communication, education, healthcare, and everyday conversations.
Examples of “Advise” in Sentences
- Please advise me on the best course of action.
- Could you advise us about the available options?
- My teacher advised me to practice English daily.
- The manager will advise the team on the new procedure.
- Please advise if we need to submit another document.
In each sentence, advise describes the action of providing guidance.
How to Use “Please Advise”
Use “please advise” when you want another person to respond with information, a recommendation, or instructions.
Examples:
- “Please advise on the next steps.”
- “Please advise me if any changes are required.”
- “Could you please advise us on this matter?”
The expression is especially common in formal correspondence. However, depending on the situation, “Could you please let me know?” may sound more natural and conversational.
2. What Does “Advice” Mean?
Advice is a noun that means a recommendation, suggestion, or opinion offered to help someone make a decision.
Unlike advise, advice does not describe an action. It names the guidance that someone gives.
Examples of “Advice” in Sentences
- Thank you for your advice.
- Her advice helped me make a better decision.
- I need some advice about my career.
- His financial advice was very useful.
- Could you give me advice on improving my writing?
In these examples, advice refers to the guidance itself.
How to Use “Advice” Correctly
You can use advice with verbs such as give, offer, share, follow, and seek.
Examples:
- Please give me your advice.
- I appreciate the advice you shared.
- She followed her doctor’s advice.
- We are seeking advice from an experienced teacher.
- Thank you for offering helpful advice.
Remember that advice is an uncountable noun in standard English. You generally say “some advice” or “a piece of advice,” not “an advice.”
Please Advise vs. Please Advice: Comparison Table
| Feature | Please advise | Please advice |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | Correct | Incorrect in the intended meaning |
| Word type | Advise is a verb | Advice is a noun |
| Meaning | Asking someone for guidance | Incorrect use of the noun |
| Example | Please advise me on this issue. | Please advice me on this issue. |
| Better alternative | Please advise. | Please share your advice. |
| Common use | Emails, requests, professional communication | Not standard for requesting guidance |
The key is to use advise when requesting an action and advice when referring to the guidance being provided.
When Should You Use Each Expression?
Although “please advise” is correct, the word you choose depends on the structure and meaning of your sentence.
Use “Please Advise” When Requesting Guidance
Use this expression when you want someone to explain what you should do, recommend a solution, or provide further instructions.
Examples:
- Please advise me on how to complete the form.
- Please advise if the meeting has been rescheduled.
- Please advise us on the appropriate procedure.
- Please advise if you require additional information.
You can also make the request more polite by saying, “Could you please advise me?”
Use “Advice” When Talking About Guidance
Use advice when you are discussing a recommendation or asking someone to give you one.
Examples:
- Could you share your advice on this matter?
- I would appreciate your advice.
- She gave me some excellent advice.
- We need professional advice before making a decision.
Which Is Better in a Professional Email?
Both of these sentences are correct:
- “Please advise on how we should proceed.”
- “Please provide your advice on how we should proceed.”
The first is shorter and more direct. The second explicitly asks for advice.
For a friendly, natural business email, you might write:
“Could you please let me know how we should proceed?”
This alternative is often clearer when you simply need information rather than a recommendation.
12 Examples of “Please Advise” and “Advice”
Here are practical examples showing how to use both words correctly in everyday and professional situations.
1. Correct: Please advise me on the next steps.
Why: Advise is the verb requesting guidance.
2. Incorrect: Please advice me on the next steps.
Correction: Please advise me on the next steps.
3. Correct: I would appreciate your advice.
Why: Advice is the noun referring to guidance.
4. Correct: Could you please advise us about the delay?
Why: Advise describes the action being requested.
5. Correct: Thank you for your helpful advice.
Why: Advice names the guidance received.
6. Incorrect: Can you give me an advice?
Correction: Can you give me some advice?
7. Correct: My supervisor advised me to revise the report.
Why: Advised is the past tense of the verb advise.
8. Correct: We are waiting for your advice before making a decision.
Why: Advice is used as a noun.
9. Correct: Please advise if the payment has been processed.
Why: Advise introduces a request for information.
10. Correct: She offered me a useful piece of advice.
Why: “A piece of advice” is a correct way to refer to one recommendation.
11. Incorrect: He gave me a good advise.
Correction: He gave me good advice.
12. Correct: I advise you to read the instructions carefully.
Why: Advise is the verb describing the recommendation.
These examples demonstrate that the correct word depends on the grammatical structure, not simply on the topic of guidance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced English speakers sometimes confuse advise and advice. Avoid these common errors to make your writing more accurate.
1. Writing “Please Advice”
Incorrect: “Please advice me regarding the matter.”
Correct: “Please advise me regarding the matter.”
The sentence requires a verb because you are asking someone to take the action of providing guidance.
2. Using “Advise” as a Noun
Incorrect: “Thank you for your advise.”
Correct: “Thank you for your advice.”
The sentence refers to guidance that has already been provided, so the noun advice is necessary.
3. Saying “An Advice”
Incorrect: “I need an advice from my teacher.”
Correct: “I need some advice from my teacher.”
You can also say, “I need a piece of advice from my teacher.”
4. Confusing “Advise” and “Advice” in Emails
Incorrect: “Kindly advice me about the deadline.”
Correct: “Kindly advise me about the deadline.”
A more conversational alternative is “Could you please let me know the deadline?”
5. Assuming “Please Advise” Is Always the Most Natural Choice
“Please advise” is grammatically correct, but it can sound abrupt in some situations.
For example:
- Direct: “Please advise.”
- Polite: “Could you please advise me on this matter?”
- Conversational: “Could you please let me know what you recommend?”
Choose the expression that fits your audience and purpose.
A Simple Memory Trick
Use this easy trick to remember the difference between advise and advice.
- Advise = Verb = Action.
- Advice = Noun = Guidance.
Think of the final letters:
- Advise sounds like “z” at the end in many English accents.
- Advice sounds like “s” at the end.
The spelling difference is small, but the grammatical difference matters.
Try remembering these two sentences:
- “Please advise me.” — Ask someone to take action.
- “Please share your advice.” — Ask for the guidance itself.
Once you remember that advise is an action and advice is a thing, choosing the correct word becomes much easier.
American vs. British English: Is There a Difference?
There is no difference in the basic grammatical rule between American and British English. Both varieties use advise as a verb and advice as a noun.
| Variety | Correct verb | Correct noun |
|---|---|---|
| American English | Advise | Advice |
| British English | Advise | Advice |
| Australian English | Advise | Advice |
| Canadian English | Advise | Advice |
Examples that are correct in both American and British English include:
- “Please advise me on the next steps.”
- “Thank you for your advice.”
The spelling difference does not change according to the variety of English. However, the tone and frequency of expressions such as “please advise” can vary by context and workplace.
Similar Words You Should Know
Learning related words can help you understand the difference between advise and advice more clearly.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advise | Verb | To recommend or guide | I advise you to wait. |
| Advice | Noun | A recommendation or guidance | Her advice was useful. |
| Advised | Past-tense verb | Recommended or guided | He advised me to call. |
| Advisable | Adjective | Sensible or recommended | It is advisable to check first. |
| Adviser | Noun | A person who gives guidance | Ask your academic adviser. |
| Advisory | Adjective or noun | Related to advice or guidance | The school issued an advisory notice. |
Notice that adviser refers to a person, while advisable describes something worth considering or doing.
Understanding these related forms will help you use the words accurately in both speaking and writing.
Final Verdict: Please Advise or Please Advice?
“Please advise” is the correct expression when you want someone to provide guidance, instructions, or a recommendation. The word advise is a verb, so it fits the request.
“Please advice” is incorrect when used with this intended meaning because advice is a noun. If you want to use the noun, write “Please share your advice,” “Please provide your advice,” or “I would appreciate your advice.”
For professional emails, remember these examples:
- Correct: “Please advise on the next steps.”
- Correct: “Please provide your advice on the next steps.”
- Incorrect: “Please advice on the next steps.”
Choosing the correct word makes your message clearer and helps you communicate confidently.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “please advise” correct English?
Yes. “Please advise” is correct English. It is a request for someone to provide guidance, instructions, or a recommendation. For example, “Please advise me on how to proceed.”
2. Is “please advice” grammatically correct?
No, not when you intend to ask someone for guidance. Advice is a noun, while the sentence requires the verb advise. Write “please advise” instead.
3. Should I write “please advise” or “please advice” in an email?
Write “please advise” when asking the recipient for guidance. For example, “Please advise if the documents are complete.” You can also write “Could you please let me know?”
4. What is the difference between advise and advice?
Advise is a verb meaning to recommend or guide someone. Advice is a noun meaning a recommendation or guidance. For example, “I advise you to listen to her advice.”
5. Is “kindly advise” correct?
Yes. “Kindly advise” is grammatically correct and is often used in formal correspondence. However, “Could you please advise me?” may sound warmer and more natural in many professional situations.
6. Can I say “please give me an advice”?
No. Advice is generally uncountable in standard English. Say “Please give me some advice” or “Please give me a piece of advice.”
7. Is “please advise accordingly” correct?
Yes. “Please advise accordingly” is grammatically correct when asking someone to provide guidance or respond in light of the circumstances. However, the phrase may sound formal or vague, so a more specific request is often clearer.
Remember This
- Please advise: Correct when asking for guidance.
- Please advice: Incorrect for this intended meaning.
- Some advice: Correct when referring to guidance.
- A piece of advice: Correct when referring to one recommendation.
- Advise: Verb.
- Advice: Noun.
The easiest rule is to use advise for the action and advice for the recommendation.
Conclusion
The difference between “please advise” and “please advice” comes down to grammar. Advise is a verb used when asking someone to offer guidance, while advice is a noun referring to the guidance itself. Therefore, “please advise” is the correct choice when requesting help, instructions, or a recommendation.
When writing emails, reports, or everyday messages, remember to use “please advise me” when requesting guidance and “please share your advice” when referring to the recommendation. With this simple rule and a little practice, you can avoid this common mistake and write more confidently in English.
