ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Ask for help > Advice - Plural: Pieces of Advice or Advices
Advice - Plural: Pieces of Advice or Advices
elfelena
|
Advice - Plural: Pieces of Advice or Advices
|
Dear Teachers, I would be really glad if you answer me. We were taught that plural form of the word advice is pieces of advice, but I see a lot of "advices" in the Net.
Is it ok/correct nowadays to say "advices"?
Thanks for your help.
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
|
Zora
|
I always considered the word as unchangeable (uncountable)... "advice" ... a piece of advice, some advice.. BUT never some advices...
There is the verb "advise".. maybe people are confusing the singular form of this verb.. "advises" for "advices"...
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
alien boy
|
The only time I have heard/read �advices � used as a correct plural is when the meaning of �advice � is for an official notice concerning a business transaction. �Advice � in this instance is one notice where �advices � are multiple notices.
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
Jayho
|
No efelena it is generally not acceptable to say advices unless it is a count noun
Advice, as an opinion, is an uncount noun therefore it remains in its singular form.
We would say �a piece of advice� when we want to give someone just one piece of advice (thus making it countable) e.g. Let me give you a piece of advice about this aspect of grammar
When we want to give more than one piece (and even just one piece) we can say �some advice� e.g. Let me give you some advice about this aspect of grammar (We don�t say �pieces of advice�)
or, if I can�t help you I would say I don�t have any advice for you.
However, an advice, such as in a notice (like Alien Boy referred to) is a count noun and therefore advices is correct e.g. The taxation office sent you three advices regarding this matter. In my opinion this particular usage is not common.
Cheers, Jayho
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
Nebal
|
Well, I �ve never considered " advices" correct. It �s" pieces of advice" or " some advice."
Good luck,
Nebal |
4 Apr 2009
|
|
libertybelle
|
If you have a lot of advice for someone - you can say: I have some advice for you - meaning plural.
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
wilwarin32
|
As everyone �s already said, it �s an uncountable noun, so you must say some advice, a piece of advice... but never ever advices!!!
|
4 Apr 2009
|
|
|