What is advice? Pronunciation and usage in English

advice means . Learn how to pronounce and use advice through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of advice

advicenoun

/ədˈvʌɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of advice

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "advice." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ədˈvaɪs/ (ah-DVYCE)

Let's break that down further:

  • ah: Like in "father"
  • DVYCE: This is the trickiest part. It rhymes with "drive" or "live." The emphasis is on the second syllable. Think of it as a quick, sharp "dye" sound.

Here's a way to think about it:

  1. "Ad-" – Pronounce this as "ah" (like in "father").
  2. "Vice" – This is the tricky part. It’s not the “vise” you use to hold things. It's closer to "dye" – a quick, single syllable sound.

Resources to Listen:

  • Google Search: Simply search "how to pronounce advice" on Google and you’ll find numerous audio pronunciations.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/advice/ - This website provides pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce advice" on YouTube, and you’ll find many audio/video tutorials.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Saying "ad-vice": This is a very common mistake. The "ice" part is not pronounced.
  • Slurring the "v": Make sure you separate the "ad" and "vice" syllables clearly.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you learning American or British English? (While the pronunciation is generally the same, there can be slight variations.)

Usage and examples with the word advice in English

Let's break down how to use the word "advice" effectively in English. It's a common word, but it has specific rules about its usage.

1. What is "Advice"?

  • Definition: Advice is a recommendation or suggestion about what someone should do. It's guidance offered to help someone make a decision or solve a problem.
  • Noun: It's almost always used as a noun (a thing).

2. How to Use It - Grammatical Rules

  • Singular or Plural: "Advice" is always treated as a singular noun, even when you're talking about multiple pieces of advice.

    • Example: “I need some advice about my career.” (Not “I need some advices”)
    • Example: “She gave me good advice on how to deal with the situation.” (Not “She gave me good advices”)

  • With "Some," "Much," "A Lot Of," etc.: When using quantifiers like "some," "much," or "a lot of," you still use "advice."

    • Example: "I asked for advice on the best route."
    • Example: “He received a lot of advice from his friends.”

3. Common Phrases & Sentence Structures

Here are some ways to incorporate "advice" into your sentences:

  • "I need advice." (Expressing a need for guidance)
  • "Can you give me some advice?" (Asking for a suggestion)
  • "He offered me some good advice." (Someone has given you a recommendation)
  • "Her advice was invaluable." (Her suggestion was extremely helpful)
  • "I value your advice." (I appreciate your recommendations)
  • "Take my advice..." (Giving a direct recommendation - often with a cautionary tone)
  • "That's good advice." (Acknowledging the helpfulness of a suggestion)
  • "I followed her advice." (You acted on her recommendation)
  • "Seeking advice..." (Looking for guidance)

4. Distinguishing "Advice" from "Advise"

This is a very common point of confusion!

  • Advice: (noun) – the recommendation itself. ("I need some advice.")
  • Advise: (verb) – to give advice. ("I advise you to be careful.")

Example to illustrate the difference:

  • "I need advice on what to wear." (The recommendation I need.)
  • "I advise you to wear a coat." (I am giving you a recommendation.)

5. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings)

  • Suggestion
  • Recommendation
  • Guidance
  • Counsel
  • Insight

Resources to check out:

Do you want me to give you some example sentences using "advice" in different contexts, or perhaps explore a specific way you’d like to use the word (e.g., formal vs. informal)?

Synonyms for the word advice

Practice with vocabulary advice

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She gave me helpful _______ on how to improve my presentation skills.
  2. Could you _______ me on which software to use for this project?
  3. His _______ was to focus on teamwork rather than individual achievements.
  4. I received a lot of constructive _______ from my mentor after the meeting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits this sentence? "She offered valuable _______ on how to manage stress."
    a) suggestion
    b) advice
    c) tip
    d) opinion

  2. What is the most appropriate word here? "He ignored the _______ and made the same mistake again."
    a) recommendation
    b) advice
    c) warning
    d) idea

  3. Which option is correct? "The coach’s _______ helped the team improve their performance."
    a) advice
    b) guidance
    c) criticism
    d) feedback

  4. What word fits best? "Her _______ was to focus on the key details of the report."
    a) suggestion
    b) advice
    c) instruction
    d) proposal

  5. Which word is appropriate here? "The teacher provided _______ on how to structure the essay."
    a) advice
    b) feedback
    c) critique
    d) direction

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She suggested that I take a break and relax.
    Rewrite: She gave me _______ to take a break and relax.

  2. Original: His recommendation was to start the project early.
    Rewrite: He offered _______ to start the project early.

  3. Original: The manager told us to prioritize the most urgent tasks.
    Rewrite: The manager provided _______ on prioritizing the most urgent tasks.

Answer

Exercise 1:

  1. advice
  2. advise
  3. suggestion
  4. feedback

Exercise 2:

  1. b) advice
  2. b) advice
  3. a) advice
  4. a) suggestion
  5. a) advice

Exercise 3:

  1. She gave me advice to take a break and relax.
  2. He offered advice to start the project early.
  3. The manager provided guidance on prioritizing the most urgent tasks.

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