“Suggest” vs. “Advise”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “suggest” and “advise”

  • Suggesting is a more gentle and indirect form of sharing ideas, whereas advising is more direct and authoritative.
  • Suggesting generally leaves the final decision with the listener or receiver, while advising involves providing clear recommendations or guidance.
  • Suggesting is more commonly used in social situations, while advising is typically used in professional settings.
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What is the definition of “suggest” and “advise”?

Suggest
  • "Suggest" means to propose an idea or course of action for consideration or to imply something indirectly.
  • It is a gentle way of providing options or sharing an opinion about something.
  • Suggesting leaves the final decision in the hands of the listener or receiver.
Advise
  • "Advise" means to give recommendations or guidance about what should be done or not in a particular situation.
  • It is a more direct and authoritative way of sharing information or opinions.
  • Advising usually comes from a position of expertise or authority.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Suggest” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Suggest
1,570,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. My coworker suggested talking to HR instead of trying to figure it out myself.
  2. Can you suggest a good restaurant near our hotel?
  3. She suggested that we try a different approach to the problem.
Advise
417,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The doctor advised him to cut down on his salt intake.
  2. My parents advised me to save money for emergencies.
  3. My friend advised me to read the reviews before purchasing that new jacket.
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