The word advice is a cornerstone of English communication—whether we are helping a friend, consulting a professional, or reading a business report, the concept of giving and receiving advice is everywhere. Yet, many English learners and even native speakers stumble over its plural form. Should you say “two advices” or “two pieces of advice”? Is it possible to pluralize “advice” at all? Using advice correctly is not only a mark of grammatical accuracy, but also of clarity and professionalism, especially in academic, business, and formal writing.
This confusion centers on the distinction between countable and uncountable (mass) nouns—a fundamental concept in English grammar. Advice serves as a classic case study for mastering this aspect of English, with its unique rules, exceptions, and idiomatic uses.
This comprehensive guide is designed for English language learners (ESL/EFL), teachers, writers, editors, and anyone seeking to master the finer points of English grammar. In this article, we’ll explore the definition and grammar of “advice,” break down its structure, examine related words, provide extensive examples, discuss core rules and common mistakes, offer targeted practice exercises, and delve into advanced topics like historical usage and professional contexts.
If you’ve ever wondered how to express multiple recommendations without saying “advices,” or want to avoid the most common errors with this tricky noun, you’re in the right place. Let’s begin our deep dive into the plural form of advice.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
A. What is “Advice”?
Advice is a noun referring to suggestions, recommendations, or guidance offered to help someone make a decision or solve a problem. It is derived from Middle English, originally from the Old French avis (“opinion, view”), and ultimately from Latin advisum (“considered, thought out”). The core meaning of advice is the act or offering of informed opinion or guidance.
Semantic field: guidance, suggestion, counsel, recommendation, tip, instruction.
B. Grammatical Classification
Advice is classified as an uncountable noun (also called a mass noun). Uncountable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted as individual items because they represent a substance, quality, or abstract concept. In contrast, countable nouns refer to things that can be counted as separate units.
| Countable Nouns | Uncountable Nouns |
|---|---|
| book, apple, suggestion, tip, chair | advice, information, water, rice, furniture |
| one suggestion, two suggestions | some advice, much advice |
| I have three books. | I have some advice. |
C. Function of “Advice” in Sentences
Advice usually functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
- Subject: Advice is always helpful.
- Object: She gave me some advice.
- Complement (after “be” verb): His words were advice I needed.
D. Usage Contexts
Advice appears in a wide range of contexts:
- Formal: Academic writing, business emails, legal opinions.
- Informal: Everyday conversation, chatting with friends.
- Spoken: Personal discussions, workplace meetings.
- Written: Reports, essays, online forums, articles.
The word is ubiquitous and essential in both spoken and written English.
4. Structural Breakdown
A. Singular and Plural Forms
Advice has no plural form in standard English. Unlike countable nouns (e.g., “book” → “books”), you cannot say “advices” to indicate more than one piece of advice.
- Correct: I gave her some advice.
- Incorrect: I gave her some advices.
B. Determiners and Quantifiers with “Advice”
Because advice is uncountable, only certain quantifiers and determiners are grammatically correct. You can use: some, much, a little, a bit of, a piece of, plenty of. You cannot use: many, few, several directly with “advice.”
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| some advice | many advice |
| much advice | several advice |
| a little advice | few advice |
| a piece of advice | a advices |
| a bit of advice | an advice |
| plenty of advice | advices |
C. Creating Plural Meaning
To express the idea of more than one recommendation, use units of advice:
- a piece of advice
- a bit of advice
- a word of advice (slightly more formal or idiomatic)
To create a plural meaning, use:
- two pieces of advice
- several bits of advice
- many words of advice
Structure: [Number/Quantifier] + [Unit] + “of advice”
- She gave me three pieces of advice.
- He offered several bits of advice during his talk.
D. Related Words: “Advices”
The form advices is generally nonstandard or archaic in modern English. However, it may still appear in certain specialized contexts, such as law or finance, to refer to official written notifications (e.g., shipping advices).
- Standard English: “Advices” is almost never correct as the plural of “advice.”
- Specialized contexts: In banking and legal English, “advices” can mean official notices or documents, but this is rare and technical.
5. Types or Categories
A. Types of Advice by Content
Advice can be described by its subject matter:
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Personal advice | She gave me some personal advice about relationships. |
| Professional advice | He offered professional advice on career development. |
| Legal advice | I sought legal advice before signing the contract. |
| Medical advice | Always follow your doctor’s medical advice. |
| Financial advice | We need financial advice about investing. |
B. Units of Advice
To refer to a single recommendation, use a unit noun or a synonym:
| Unit/Synonym | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| a piece of advice | Let me give you a piece of advice. |
| a word of advice | Just a word of advice: don’t be late. |
| a bit of advice | Here’s a bit of advice for your trip. |
| a tip | She gave me a tip about studying efficiently. |
| a suggestion | May I offer a suggestion? |
| a recommendation | He made a recommendation for a good restaurant. |
C. Pluralization Constructions
Use these constructions for expressing multiple items of advice:
- Several pieces of advice: She gave me several pieces of advice for my interview.
- Multiple bits of advice: He offered multiple bits of advice during our conversation.
- Various words of advice: The teacher gave us various words of advice before the exam.
Usage Note: “Pieces of advice” is the most common and accepted plural construction.
6. Examples Section
A. Basic Usage Examples
Advice as an uncountable mass noun (10 examples):
- Can you give me some advice?
- I appreciated your advice yesterday.
- His advice helped me make a difficult decision.
- My parents always offer good advice.
- She needs advice about her new job.
- That was excellent advice!
- I am grateful for your advice.
- We received useful advice from our mentor.
- He ignored the advice of his friends.
- Our teacher’s advice is always valuable.
B. Plural Meaning Constructions
Plural constructions (10 examples):
- I have three pieces of advice for you.
- She gave us several pieces of advice before the trip.
- He offered two bits of advice during the meeting.
- There are a few words of advice I want to share.
- The coach provided multiple pieces of advice to the players.
- They gave valuable pieces of advice during the seminar.
- I received several pieces of advice from different people.
- Here are a couple of bits of advice for new students.
- His words of advice were very motivating.
- She shared five important pieces of advice.
C. Incorrect Usage Examples
Incorrect forms and corrections (5 examples):
- Incorrect: She gave me many advices.
Correct: She gave me much advice.
Or: She gave me many pieces of advice. - Incorrect: I have two advices for you.
Correct: I have two pieces of advice for you. - Incorrect: An advice is always welcome.
Correct: Advice is always welcome.
Or: A piece of advice is always welcome. - Incorrect: He shared several advices.
Correct: He shared several pieces of advice. - Incorrect: She has a lot of advices.
Correct: She has a lot of advice.
D. Comparative Examples
Side-by-side correct vs. incorrect constructions:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| many advices | much advice | “Advice” is uncountable; use “much.” |
| an advice | a piece of advice | Use a unit noun with “advice.” |
| two advices | two pieces of advice | Use “pieces of advice” for plural meaning. |
| several advices | several pieces of advice | Never use “advices” in standard English. |
| few advices | little advice | Use “little” with uncountable nouns. |
E. Varied Contexts
Formal, informal, spoken, and written examples:
- Formal (5 examples):
- It is recommended that you seek professional advice.
- Please accept this advice as part of our official report.
- The board considered the advice from external consultants.
- Legal advice should be obtained before proceeding.
- The committee provided several pieces of advice to improve the policy.
- Informal (5 examples):
- Can I give you a piece of advice?
- Here’s a tip: always double-check your work!
- I have some advice for your first day.
- Let me know if you need any advice.
- My dad gave me some great advice about saving money.
- Spoken (5 examples):
- Listen, my advice is to stay calm.
- I have a few pieces of advice for you.
- That advice really helped me!
- Just a word of advice—don’t rush.
- Could you give me some advice?
- Written (5 examples):
- Advice from experts can be invaluable.
- The manual contains several helpful pieces of advice.
- I read some advice on how to manage stress.
- Her advice was clear and practical.
- The article offers ten pieces of advice for travelers.
F. Example Tables
| Quantifier | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| some | Yes | She gave me some advice. |
| much | Yes | He doesn’t offer much advice. |
| many | No | Incorrect: many advice |
| several | No (unless with “pieces of”) | Correct: several pieces of advice Incorrect: several advice |
| a little | Yes | I have a little advice for you. |
| few | No | Incorrect: few advice |
| a lot of | Yes | She has a lot of advice to offer. |
| Noun | Singular | Plural | Example (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| advice | a piece of advice | pieces of advice | I received three pieces of advice. |
| suggestion | a suggestion | suggestions | I received three suggestions. |
| tip | a tip | tips | She gave me some useful tips. |
| recommendation | a recommendation | recommendations | He made several recommendations. |
G. Total Example Count
Throughout this article, you will find more than 50 unique example sentences and phrases that illustrate the correct and incorrect use of “advice” and its plural forms. Each example is chosen to highlight a specific rule, error, or context.
7. Usage Rules
A. Core Rules for “Advice”
- Advice is uncountable: Never add “s” for plural (do not write “advices”).
- Quantifiers: Use “some,” “much,” “a little,” “a lot of,” or “plenty of” with “advice.”
B. Forming the Plural Meaning
To refer to multiple recommendations, always use pieces of advice or similar unit phrases:
- He gave me several pieces of advice.
- I have two important bits of advice for you.
C. Quantifier Agreement
Only certain quantifiers work with uncountable nouns like “advice.” Do not use quantifiers meant for countable nouns.
| Quantifier | Use with “Advice”? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| some | Yes | She gave me some advice. |
| much | Yes | There isn’t much advice available. |
| a little | Yes | I have a little advice for you. |
| a lot of | Yes | He offered a lot of advice. |
| many | No | Incorrect: many advice |
| few | No | Incorrect: few advice |
D. Exceptions and Special Cases
Advices may appear in:
- Legal/Financial Jargon: “Advices” can mean official written notifications or documents. Example: “The bank sent us several advices.”
- Archaic/Regional English: Older texts or certain dialects may use “advices,” but this is not standard in modern general English.
E. Synonyms and Their Pluralization
- Suggestion, tip, recommendation are countable nouns. They can be pluralized directly: suggestions, tips, recommendations.
- Advice cannot be pluralized; always use a unit construction for plural meaning.
Examples:
- She gave me three tips.
- He offered several suggestions.
- I have two recommendations for you.
- She gave me two pieces of advice.
8. Common Mistakes
A. Incorrect Pluralization
- Incorrect: “advices”
- Correct: “pieces of advice,” “some advice”
B. Incorrect Article Usage
- Incorrect: “an advice”
- Correct: “a piece of advice”
C. Wrong Quantifiers
- Incorrect: “many advice,” “few advice”
- Correct: “much advice,” “little advice”
D. Confusing “Advice” with “Advise”
Advice is a noun. Advise is a verb.
- Correct: I need your advice.
- Correct: Can you advise me?
Incorrect: I need your advise.
Incorrect: Can you advice me?
E. Table 9: Common Mistakes and Their Corrections
| Mistake | Correction | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| many advices | much advice | Use “much” with uncountable nouns. |
| an advice | a piece of advice | Use a unit noun for singular. |
| few advice | little advice | Use “little” with uncountable nouns. |
| advices | advice | “Advice” has no plural form. |
| I need your advise. | I need your advice. | “Advice” is a noun; “advise” is a verb. |
| Can you advice me? | Can you advise me? | Use “advise” as a verb. |
9. Practice Exercises
A. Fill-in-the-Blank (10 items)
- Can you give me some ________?
- I have two ________ of advice for you.
- She offered a lot of ________ during the workshop.
- He gave me a useful ________ of advice.
- The teacher provided several ________ of advice.
- There isn’t much ________ in the manual.
- I need a little ________ about my homework.
- May I offer you a ________ of advice?
- Thank you for your helpful ________.
- They gave me several ________ of advice.
B. Error Correction (10 items)
- She gave me many advices.
- May I give you an advice?
- I have two advices for you.
- He offered several advices during the meeting.
- I received a lot of advices from my friends.
- There are few advice in the book.
- She needs some advices on the subject.
- He always gives good advices.
- Can you advice me?
- He advices me every day.
C. Identification Exercise (5 items)
Is the use of “advice” correct (Yes) or incorrect (No)?
- She gave me a piece of advice.
- I have three advices to offer.
- Much advice was needed.
- Few advice is available.
- He shared several pieces of advice.
D. Sentence Construction (5 items)
Write a correct sentence using the following prompts:
- (two / piece / advice)
- (a bit / advice / important)
- (several / piece / advice / teacher)
- (much / advice / friend)
- (some / advice / useful)
E. Multiple Choice (5 items)
- Which is correct?
A. I need some advices.
B. I need some advice.
C. I need an advice. - Which sentence is correct?
A. She offered three pieces of advice.
B. She offered three advices.
C. She offered three advice. - Choose the correct quantifier:
A. many advice
B. much advice
C. few advice - Find the correct usage:
A. A word of advice
B. An advice
C. Advices - Which is the proper plural form?
A. Advices
B. Pieces of advice
C. Advice
F. Table 10: Practice Exercise Key
| Exercise | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Fill-in-the-Blank 1 | advice | “Advice” is uncountable. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 2 | pieces | Use “pieces of advice” for plural meaning. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 3 | advice | Uncountable noun; no plural. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 4 | piece | Unit noun required for singular. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 5 | pieces | Unit noun for plural. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 6 | advice | Uncountable; “much advice.” |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 7 | advice | Uncountable; “a little advice.” |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 8 | piece | “A piece of advice” (unit noun). |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 9 | advice | Uncountable noun. |
| Fill-in-the-Blank 10 | pieces | Unit noun for plural. |
| Error Correction 1 | She gave me much advice. / She gave me many pieces of advice. | Use “much” or “pieces of advice.” |
| Error Correction 2 | May I give you a piece of advice? | Use “a piece of advice.” |
| Error Correction 3 | I have two pieces of advice for you. | Use “pieces of advice.” |
| Error Correction 4 | He offered several pieces of advice during the meeting. | Unit noun needed. |
| Error Correction 5 | I received a lot of advice from my friends. | Uncountable; no “advices.” |
| Error Correction 6 | There is little advice in the book. | Use “little” with uncountable nouns. |
| Error Correction 7 | She needs some advice on the subject. | Uncountable; “some advice.” |
| Error Correction 8 | He always gives good advice. | Uncountable. |
| Error Correction 9 | Can you advise me? | “Advise” is the verb form. |
| Error Correction 10 | He advises me every day. | Verb: “advises.” |
| Identification 1 | Yes | “A piece of advice” is correct. |
| Identification 2 | No | No plural “advices” in standard English. |
| Identification 3 | Yes | “Much advice” is correct. |
| Identification 4 | No | Should be “little advice.” |
| Identification 5 | Yes | “Pieces of advice” is correct. |
| Sentence Construction 1 | I have two pieces of advice for you. | Correct pluralization. |
| Sentence Construction 2 | This is an important bit of advice. | Unit noun for singular. |
| Sentence Construction 3 | The teacher gave us several pieces of advice. | Correct plural form. |
| Sentence Construction 4 | My friend gives me much advice. | Uncountable noun; “much advice.” |
| Sentence Construction 5 | Some advice is very useful. | Uncountable noun. |
| Multiple Choice 1 | B | “Some advice” is correct usage. |
| Multiple Choice 2 | A | “Three pieces of advice” is correct. |
| Multiple Choice 3 | B | “Much advice” for uncountable noun. |
| Multiple Choice 4 | A | “A word of advice” is correct unit noun. |
| Multiple Choice 5 | B | “Pieces of advice” is correct plural construction. |
10. Advanced Topics
A. Historical and Regional Variations
Historically, advices was sometimes used in English to mean information or reports, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, this usage is mostly obsolete except in specific jargon.
- Example (historical): “We have received advices from the colonies.”
In modern British and American English, “advices” is virtually never used in general speech or writing.
B. “Advice” in Legal and Financial English
In legal and financial contexts, advices may refer to formal written notifications:
- “We received several advices from the bank regarding the transaction.”
Even in these fields, “advices” is becoming less common and may be replaced by “notices” or “communications.”
C. Corpus Analysis
Let’s look at actual usage data from English corpora:
| Form | Occurrences (British National Corpus) | Occurrences (Corpus of Contemporary American English) |
|---|---|---|
| advice | ~12,000 | ~14,000 |
| advices | <50 (mostly legal/financial, historical) | <20 (rare, specialized) |
Conclusion: “Advice” is overwhelmingly preferred; “advices” is rare and specialized.
D. Style and Register Considerations
- Formal writing: “advice,” “pieces of advice,” “recommendation”
- Informal writing: “advice,” “tips,” “suggestions”
- Spoken English: “advice,” “a word of advice,” “let me give you a tip”
Choosing the right structure can affect the tone, clarity, and appropriateness for your audience.
E. Idiomatic Uses
- Take someone’s advice (to follow a recommendation)
- Give advice (to offer guidance)
- A word of advice (an idiomatic warning or tip)
- Piece of advice (one recommendation)
Examples: If I were you, I’d take her advice. Just a word of advice: be careful!
11. FAQ Section
- Is “advices” ever correct in English?
Answer: Almost never in modern general English. “Advices” is rare and limited to certain legal or financial documents, where it refers to multiple official notices. For everyday, academic, or business English, “advices” is incorrect. - Why is “advice” uncountable?
Answer: “Advice” refers to guidance or recommendations in a general, abstract sense, not as individual items. English treats such abstract nouns as uncountable because they represent a substance or concept rather than discrete countable units. - How do I talk about more than one piece of advice?
Answer: Use a unit noun and pluralize it: “two pieces of advice,” “several bits of advice,” “many words of advice.” - Can I say “an advice”?
Answer: No. “Advice” is uncountable, so you cannot use “an” or “a” directly. Say “a piece of advice,” “a bit of advice,” or “some advice.” - What’s the difference between “advice” and “advise”?
Answer: “Advice” is a noun (guidance or recommendation). “Advise” is a verb (to give advice). Example: “I need your advice.” “Can you advise me?” - What quantifiers work with “advice”?
Answer: Use quantifiers for uncountable nouns: “some advice,” “much advice,” “a little advice,” “a lot of advice,” “plenty of advice.” Do not use “many” or “few” directly with “advice.” - How do I make recommendations plural if not with “advices”?
Answer: Use a countable synonym (“suggestions,” “tips,” “recommendations”) or a unit noun (“pieces of advice”). - Are there any exceptions to the uncountable rule?
Answer: Only in rare, specialized legal or financial contexts is “advices” used. Otherwise, “advice” remains uncountable. - Can I use “advices” in business or legal English?
Answer: Only if you are specifically referring to multiple official notifications/documents and your audience expects this jargon. For general business English, use “advice” or “pieces of advice.” - What are common mistakes learners make with “advice”?
Answer: Using “advices” as a plural, saying “an advice,” using “many advice,” and confusing “advice” (noun) with “advise” (verb). - How do I use “advice” in formal writing?
Answer: Use “advice” as an uncountable noun (“some advice,” “much advice”) or use “pieces of advice” to specify multiple recommendations. Avoid “advices.” - What are alternatives to “piece of advice”?
Answer: “A bit of advice,” “a word of advice,” or use countable synonyms like “suggestion,” “tip,” or “recommendation.”
12. Conclusion
Mastering the use of advice is essential for accurate and effective English communication. Remember, advice is an uncountable noun: it does not have a plural form in standard English, and you should never add “s” to create “advices.” To express plural meaning, use constructions like pieces of advice or countable synonyms such as suggestions or tips.
Use the correct quantifiers and articles, and be mindful of common errors—especially when switching between “advice” (noun) and “advise” (verb). If you’re ever unsure, refer back to the tables, examples, and practice exercises in this article.
For further study, try exploring other uncountable nouns (e.g., information, furniture, news) and practice distinguishing between countable and uncountable forms. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or professional, developing a strong understanding of these patterns will enhance your English skills and confidence.
Keep practicing, and let this guide be your reference whenever you need advice—or several pieces of advice—on this important topic!