Ciao, miei amici!

Rumor has it that a fairy godwriter is dabbling with learning Italian, because, why ever not? Sono una persona curiosa e amo l’Italia!

Anyway, let’s get back on track. So there’s this good friend of mine who’s a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, who suggested I address the differences between the words “advice” and “advise”. I was utterly shocked I hadn’t thought of this topic before she brought it up, since before I became a Fairy Godwriter, I used to practice law; a career in which both terms are used ad infinitum (see what I did there?)

So what’s the difference?

The easiest way to remember is that advice is a noun. When you need someone to give you an opinion, guidance, or a suggestion as what to do, you need advice: “I need advice as to whether I should do my study abroad program in Rome or in Florence.”

Advise is a verb. “Please advise as to whether I should do my study abroad program in Rome or in Florence.”

Another way to remember is to see if “advise” can be changed for “tell”, or “suggest”, or “let me know”.

“Please tell me whether I should do my study abroad program in Rome or in Florence.”
“Please suggest whether I should do my study abroad program in Rome or in Florence.”

If you can use “tell/suggest” interchangeably, use “advise”. Why does that work? Because “tell” and “suggest” are also a verbs.

Yes, they are both related, as they pertain to someone giving you (or you giving someone) an opinion. However, depending on how you’re using it in a sentence will determine the correct spelling. Extraordinary people pay attention to details. Always strive to be extraordinary. I advise you to do so. That is my advice.

Arrivederci!

Much love,

The Fairy Godwriter