Please Advise or Please Advice? Meaning, Rules, and Polite Alternatives

Quick Summary:

“Please advise” (spelled with an s) is the correct grammatical phrase used in formal business emails to ask for guidance, information, or instructions. “Please advice” (spelled with a c) is grammatically incorrect because “advice” is a noun, not a verb. While “please advise” is grammatically valid, modern email etiquette often prefers warmer alternatives like “Please let me know” or “I would appreciate your guidance.”

Introduction: The Importance of Professional Email Etiquette

Navigating professional communication in English requires a clear understanding of both grammar and etiquette. Etiquette refers to observing conventional rules of polite behavior among colleagues, clients, and business associates.

When asking a manager or co-worker for help, getting the phrasing right is crucial. Being polite encourages the recipient to respond promptly and offer their best possible guidance.

One of the most frequent expressions used at the end of business correspondence is “please advise.” However, many English language learners ask:

• Should I write “please advise” or “please advice”?

• Is “please advise” considered polite, or does it sound rude and passive-aggressive?

• What are better alternatives to use in modern business emails?

This guide breaks down the grammar behind advise vs. advice, explains the subtle tone behind “please advise,” and offers polite alternatives for professional emails.

Please Advise vs. Please Advice: What Is the Difference?

The confusion between “please advise” and “please advice” comes down to mistaking a verb for a noun.

Grammar Breakdown:

  ADVISE (Verb)  ---> The action of offering recommendations or guidance.
  ADVICE (Noun)  ---> The actual suggestion or opinion given.

1. Advise (Verb)

Advise (pronounced with a “z” sound at the end: /ədˈvaɪz/) is an action verb. It means to offer recommendations, guidance, or information to someone regarding a situation.

• “She advised me to double-check the financial report.”

• “Please advise us on the next steps for the project.”

2. Advice (Noun)

Advice (pronounced with an “s” sound at the end: /ədˈvaɪs/) is an uncountable noun. It refers to the opinion or recommendation itself.

• “Thank you for your valuable advice.”

• “Can you give me some advice on how to prepare for the job interview?”

Why “Please Advice” Is Always Incorrect

Because “please” is an etiquette word that modifies a request, it must be followed by an action verb. Following “please” with the noun “advice” is grammatically incomplete.

• Incorrect: “Please advice on this matter.”

• Correct: “Please advise on this matter.”

• Correct: “Please give me your advice on this matter.”

Is “Please Advise” Polite or Rude in Professional Emails?

“Please advise” has been used in formal correspondence since the late 17th century. It became especially popular during the 19th century with the rise of telegram services. Because telegrams charged senders by the individual word, businessmen used “please advise” as a short, cost-effective way to say “Please advise me on what to do.”

While “please advise” remains grammatically correct, modern workplace communications view its tone differently depending on the context.

Tone Evaluation of "Please Advise":

  [ Positive Context ] ---> Formal, direct request for instructions.
  [ Negative Context ] ---> Cold, passive-aggressive, or shifting blame.

Why “Please Advise” Can Sometimes Sound Cold or Passive-Aggressive

1. It Can Sound Demanding: In modern emails, ending a message with a abrupt, standalone “Please advise.” can feel cold or overly mechanical.

2. Grammatical Incompleteness: Because advise is a transitive verb, strict grammarians argue it requires a direct object (e.g., “Please advise me“ or “Please advise our team“).

3. Passing the Responsibility: To some readers, ending an email with “Please advise” feels like you are washing your hands of a problem and dumping the entire workload onto them without offering potential solutions.

Comparing Contexts: Friendly vs. Passive-Aggressive

Look at how tone alters the perception of “please advise” in these two business emails:

• Email 1 (Cold / Passive-Aggressive Tone):

  “Esther, you had the files before break. I need to know how the program works. Please advise.”

  Why it feels rude: The short, abrupt sentence structure combined with “Please advise” creates a demanding, impatient tone.

• Email 2 (Polite / Respectful Tone):

  “Dear Audrey, I know you are very busy with your upcoming deadlines. I was hoping to check whether you might be available for Tuesday’s convention so I can finalize our reservations. Please advise when you have a moment.”

  Why it feels polite: The writer acknowledges the recipient’s busy schedule and adds “when you have a moment,” making the request polite and considerate.

5 Polite Alternatives to “Please Advise” for Emails

To avoid sounding overly formal or cold, you can use these warm, professional alternatives in your daily business communications:

1. “Please let me know your thoughts on…” (Best for casual team collaboration)

   • “Please let me know your thoughts on the updated project proposal.”

2. “I would appreciate your guidance regarding…” (Best when speaking to a manager or senior director)

   • “I would greatly appreciate your guidance regarding how we should handle this client request.”

3. “Could you kindly provide an update on…” (Best for checking status on delayed work)

   • “Could you kindly provide an update on when the contract will be signed?”

4. “What do you recommend we do regarding…” (Best for problem-solving with co-workers)

   • “What do you recommend we do regarding the scheduling conflict?”

5. “Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.” (Best when asking an expert for feedback)

   • “I am attaching my draft design. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.”

What Does “Please Be Advised” Mean? (And Better Alternatives)

A closely related phrase often seen in official notices is “please be advised.”

This phrase is used when an authority figure or company is announcing important news, rules, or warnings to a group.

• “Please be advised that all students will receive their exam schedules via email.”

While “please be advised” is common in formal letters, it can sound corporate, stern, or bureaucratic in standard office emails.

Modern Alternatives to “Please Be Advised”:

• “Kindly note that…”

  • “Kindly note that late submissions will receive a grade penalty.”

• “Please be informed that…”

  • “Please be informed that the library will be closed this Friday for maintenance.”

• “Please be aware that…”

  • “Please be aware of the updated security guidelines.”

• “Please take note that…”

  • “Please take note of the new meeting time.”

Summary Comparison Table

Practice Exercise: Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence:

1. I am writing to ask for your ________ on which university course to choose.

   a) advise

   b) advice

   c) advised

2. Which of the following phrases is grammatically INCORRECT in an email?

   a) Please advise me on the next steps.

   b) Please advice on the next steps.

   c) Please let me know your thoughts.

3. What is a warmer, more polite alternative to “please be advised”?

   a) Please be advice

   b) Kindly note that

   c) You must know that

(Answers: 1 = b, 2 = b, 3 = b)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “please advise” grammatically correct?

Yes, “please advise” is grammatically correct. However, because advise is a transitive verb, adding an object (such as “please advise me” or “please advise our team”) makes the sentence grammatically complete.

How do I pronounce advice vs. advise?

Advice (the noun) ends with an “s” sound, rhyming with ice (/ədˈvaɪs/). Advise (the verb) ends with a “z” sound, rhyming with prize (/ədˈvaɪz/).

Is it rude to start a sentence with “Please be advised”?

Starting an email with “Please be advised” is not inherently rude, but it sounds authoritative and formal. It is best reserved for official policy updates, legal warnings, or administrative notices rather than casual co-worker conversations.

Master Business English and Email Etiquette

Mastering small language distinctions like “please advise vs. please advice” ensures your professional emails are accurate, polite, and effective.

To continue improving your business vocabulary, professional writing skills, and workplace grammar, explore our full library of guides on the English Forward Business English Hub.

Have a question about phrasing an email or checking a business letter draft? Share your writing in the English Forward Language Community Forum to receive feedback from certified ESL instructors and professional business writers!

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