Suggestion vs. Advice: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Suggestion is a gentle offering of ideas or options, while advice is more direct, providing specific guidance or recommendations based on experience or expertise. Both involve giving input, but advice is typically more authoritative and actionable.
Key Differences
A suggestion is an idea or plan proposed to someone for their consideration, often open-ended and non-imposing. Advice, on the other hand, involves offering guidance or recommendations based on one's knowledge and experience, usually in a more directive manner.
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Dec 03, 2023
When giving a suggestion, one typically presents options or ideas without insisting on them, allowing room for personal choice. In contrast, advice often carries a sense of expertise or authority, guiding someone towards a specific course of action.
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Dec 03, 2023
Suggestions are generally more casual and can be offered by anyone regardless of their expertise on the matter. Advice, however, is usually sought from or offered by someone who is perceived to have more experience or knowledge in a specific area.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 03, 2023
In a suggestion, the emphasis is on providing options or sparking ideas, without a strong attachment to the outcome. In advice, there's a greater focus on helping someone make a decision or solve a problem, often with a clear recommendation.
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Dec 03, 2023
Suggestions can often be speculative or imaginative, encouraging creative thinking. Advice tends to be more practical, aiming to provide effective solutions based on known facts or proven methods.
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Dec 03, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Outcome Attachment
Less attached to outcomes
Often aims for specific outcomes
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Basis
Can be based on creativity or speculation
Usually based on knowledge or experience
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Dec 03, 2023
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Suggestion and Advice Definitions
Suggestion
A gently offered recommendation or idea.
Her suggestion to visit the museum was a great idea.
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Nov 26, 2023
Advice
An informed opinion based on expertise.
She sought legal advice before signing the contract.
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Nov 26, 2023
Suggestion
An indirect or subtle indication.
There was a suggestion of sadness in her voice.
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Nov 26, 2023
Advice
Suggestions with the aim of helping.
Her advice for a healthy diet changed my eating habits.
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Nov 26, 2023
Suggestion
Presenting a possibility for consideration.
The brochure gives a suggestion of various travel destinations.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Advice
Offering counsel or recommendations.
His advice on investments was invaluable.
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Nov 26, 2023
Advice
A warning based on knowledge or experience.
The doctor's advice was to avoid strenuous exercise.
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Nov 26, 2023
Advice
The result of seeking professional guidance.
Following the financial advisor's advice, she diversified her portfolio.
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Nov 26, 2023
Suggestion
The sequential process by which one thought or mental image leads to another.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
A psychological process by which an idea is induced in or adopted by another without argument, command, or coercion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
Often advices Information communicated; news
Advices from an ambassador.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
(uncountable) An opinion offered to guide behavior in an effort to be helpful.
She was offered various pieces of advice on what to do with her new-found wealth.
On the advice of her doctor, Mary cut down on her carbohydrates.
I have some useful advice to give you.
Sushil never took the advice of his parents, but still became rich.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
A hint or trace
Just a suggestion of makeup.
The first suggestion of trouble ahead.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
(countable) Something suggested (with subsequent adposition being for)
I have a small suggestion for fixing this: try lifting the left side up a bit.
Make a suggestion
Traffic signs seem to be more of a suggestion than an order.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
(uncountable) The act of suggesting.
Suggestion often works better than explicit demand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
(countable) In language about financial transactions executed by formal documents, an advisory document.
An advice of an incoming settlement payment order may be given to an off-line receiving bank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
Something implied, which the mind is liable to take as fact.
He’s somehow picked up the suggestion that I like peanuts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
(uncountable) In commercial language, information communicated by letter; used chiefly in reference to drafts or bills of exchange
A letter of advice
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
The act of exercising control over a hypnotised subject by communicating some belief or impulse by means of words or gestures; the idea so suggested.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
A communication providing information, such as how an uncertain area of law might apply to possible future actions
An advice issued by a Monitoring Committee could be applicable in a Dutch court
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
Information, insinuation, speculation, as opposed to a sworn testimony and evidence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
That which is suggested; an intimation; an insinuation; a hint; a different proposal or mention; also, formerly, a secret incitement; temptation.
Why do I yield to that suggestion?
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
In aspect-oriented programming, the code whose execution is triggered when a join point is reached.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
Information without oath; an entry of a material fact or circumstance on the record for the information of the court, at the death or insolvency of a party.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
The act or power of originating or recalling ideas or relations, distinguished as original and relative; - a term much used by Scottish metaphysicians from Hutcherson to Thomas Brown.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
How shall I dote on her with more advice,That thus without advice begin to love her?
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
The control of the mind of an hypnotic subject by ideas in the mind of the hypnotizer.
Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
Arthur, whom they say is killed to-nightOn your suggestion.
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Oct 19, 2023
Advice
Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; - commonly in the plural.
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
A proposal offered for acceptance or rejection;
It was a suggestion we couldn't refuse
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
A just detectable amount;
He speaks French with a trace of an accent
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
The sequential mental process in which one thought leads to another by association
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Oct 19, 2023
Suggestion
An informal proposal of an idea or plan.
My suggestion is to try a new marketing strategy.
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Nov 26, 2023
Suggestion
A contribution of ideas or creativity.
His suggestion for the story's ending was unexpected.
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Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a suggestion be considered advice?
Sometimes, if it’s based on the giver's expertise or knowledge.
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Dec 03, 2023
What characterizes advice?
Guidance or recommendations based on knowledge or experience.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is advice always based on expertise?
Usually, but it can also be based on personal experiences.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is advice always specific?
Advice is often specific but can sometimes be general.
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Dec 03, 2023
Does advice imply a course of action?
Often, advice is given with a recommended course of action.
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Dec 03, 2023
How do suggestions and advice differ in a business context?
Suggestions are often about brainstorming, while advice may guide business decisions.
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Dec 03, 2023
How do suggestions influence decisions?
They offer options but leave the decision to the individual.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can a suggestion be a question?
Yes, suggestions can be phrased as questions.
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Dec 03, 2023
Is advice always helpful?
Ideally, but it depends on the context and the giver's knowledge.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can both suggestions and advice be ignored?
Yes, both can be considered but are not obligatory to follow.
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Dec 03, 2023
Can advice be unsolicited?
Yes, though it's generally more accepted when sought.
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Dec 03, 2023
Who usually gives advice?
Typically, someone with relevant knowledge or experience.
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Dec 03, 2023
How authoritative is advice?
It can vary, but often carries a sense of authority.
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Dec 03, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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