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Preposition after verb

Advise on, by, of, against or to?

Advise combines with several prepositions depending on the meaning. Some combinations are standard, while others are limited or incorrect.

Quick answer

Which prepositions follow advise?

Use advise on for topics, advise against for warnings, and advise someone to do something for recommendations. Advise of is formal and means inform. Advise by is not a standard pattern except in passive or method phrases.

She advised on tax issues.
Doctors advise against smoking.
They advised him to wait.
Please advise us of any changes.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
advise on + topic

Giving expert guidance about a subject

On introduces the topic or area of advice.

Consultants advise on marketing strategies.
She advised on legal matters.
2
advise against + action

Warning someone not to do something

Against introduces an action considered risky or undesirable.

Experts advise against travelling during storms.
The doctor advised against surgery at that stage.
3
advise someone to + verb

Recommending an action

Use advise directly with a person and an infinitive.

They advised her to apply early.
I advise you to check the figures again.
4
advise of + information

Formally informing someone

Of is formal and common in business or official communication.

Please advise us of your decision.
The airline advised passengers of delays.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
advise on
She advises on financial planning.
Giving guidance about a subject.
advise against
Doctors advise against heavy drinking.
Recommending that something should not be done.
advise to
They advised him to rest.
Standard pattern with a person plus infinitive.
advise of
Please advise us of any updates.
Formally inform someone.
advise by
The report was advised by consultants.
Not a standard active pattern with advise. By may appear only in passive wording or separate adjuncts.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using advise by in active sentences

Advise does not normally take by directly in active voice.

✕ She advised by email marketing. ✓ She advised on email marketing.

Adding on before an infinitive

Do not use on before to + verb.

✕ He advised me on to leave early. ✓ He advised me to leave early.

Confusing advise and advice

Advise is the verb; advice is the noun.

✕ She gave me good advise. ✓ She gave me good advice.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The lawyer advised ___ contract law.
2. Doctors advise ___ smoking.
3. Please advise us ___ any delays.

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Frequently asked questions

Is advise on correct?

Yes. It is commonly used for giving guidance about a topic.

Do we say advise to or advise someone to?

The standard structure is advise someone to do something.

Is advise of formal?

Yes. It is common in business and official communication.

abandon, by, abandon, in "abduct by", "abduct in" or "abduct from"? abide by, in, with, to or on? "abolish in" or "abolish by"? "abound in" or "abound with"? "absorb by", "absorb into" or "absorb in"? "accelerate by", "accelerate to" or "accelerate in"? accentuate by, with, in or under? accept by, in, as, for or into? "accommodate in", "accommodate for" or "accommodate to"? "accomplish by" or "accomplish in"? "accord to" or "accord with"?

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