Advice vs. Counsel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Advice refers to general suggestions or recommendations for action, while Counsel involves specialized guidance or professional consultation, often legal. Both aim to guide decision-making but differ in context and formality.
Difference Between Advice and Counsel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Advice and Counsel are terms often used interchangeably but they have nuanced differences. Advice typically refers to general guidance or suggestions that one person offers to another. Counsel, on the other hand, is more formal and often involves specialized, professional guidance, particularly in legal contexts.
In the realm of friendships and casual interactions, people usually give or seek Advice. For example, you might ask a friend for advice on what to wear to an event. Counsel is rarely used in these casual settings; it is more associated with professional settings like a lawyer's office where you'd seek legal counsel.
The grammatical usage also differentiates Advice and Counsel. Advice is an uncountable noun and doesn't have a plural form. Counsel can be both uncountable and countable, depending on the context. You might say, "I received some good advice," but you could also say, "He provided excellent counsel" or "The counsels of the wise."
The degree of responsibility also varies between Advice and Counsel. Offering Advice is generally a less formal act and doesn't usually come with professional accountability. Providing Counsel, especially in a professional setting, often carries an expectation of expertise and, in some cases, legal responsibility.
Comparison Chart
Context
General
Specialized, often professional
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Formality
Less formal
More formal
Grammatical Usage
Uncountable
Countable and Uncountable
Responsibility
Usually none
Often carries professional accountability
Common Domain
Personal, casual
Professional, legal
Compare with Definitions
Advice
Non-specialized input to help make choices.
Your advice about the vacation spot was really helpful.
Counsel
Expert opinion in specialized fields.
The company hired legal counsel for the upcoming trial.
Advice
A subjective opinion on a course of action.
Take my advice and invest in a retirement plan.
Counsel
Formal guidance provided by an expert.
She received financial counsel from a certified advisor.
Advice
General guidance or suggestions offered to someone.
I gave him advice on how to improve his resume.
Counsel
Legal representation in court.
The defendant was unable to afford counsel.
Advice
Informal assistance in decision-making.
His advice helped me choose the right career path.
Counsel
A counsel or a counsellor at law is a person who gives advice and deals with various issues, particularly in legal matters. It is a title often used interchangeably with the title of lawyer.
Advice
Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
Counsel
The act of exchanging opinions and ideas; consultation
Joined in counsel with colleagues before deciding the issue.
Advice
Often advices Information communicated; news
Advices from an ambassador.
Counsel
Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person.
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.
Counsel
Private, guarded thoughts or opinions
Keep one's own counsel.
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
Counsel
A lawyer or group of lawyers giving legal advice and especially conducting a case in court.
Advice
Information or news given; intelligence
Late advices from France
Counsel
To give counsel to; advise
Counseled us to be prudent.
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.
Counsel
To recommend
Counseled care in the forthcoming negotiations.
Advice
(uncountable) In commercial language, information communicated by letter; used chiefly in reference to drafts or bills of exchange
A letter of advice
Counsel
To give or take advice. See Usage Note at council.
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
Counsel
The exchange of opinions and advice especially in legal issues; consultation.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific legal act.
Counsel
Exercise of judgment; prudence.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Counsel
Advice; guidance.
Advice
In aspect-oriented programming, the code whose execution is triggered when a join point is reached.
Counsel
Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
Advice
An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
Counsel
A lawyer, as in King's Counsel (KC) or Queen's Counsel (QC).
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
How shall I dote on her with more advice,That thus without advice begin to love her?
Counsel
(transitive) To give advice, especially professional advice, to (somebody).
The lawyer counselled his client to remain silent.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals counsel clients.
Advice
Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; - commonly in the plural.
Counsel
(transitive) To recommend (a course of action).
I would counsel prudence in this matter.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Counsel
Interchange of opinions; mutual advising; consultation.
All the chief priest and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, to put him to death.
Advice
A proposal for an appropriate course of action
Counsel
Examination of consequences; exercise of deliberate judgment; prudence.
They all confess, therefore, in the working of that first cause, that counsel is used.
Advice
Recommendations for actions without professional accountability.
She offered free advice on gardening.
Counsel
Result of consultation; advice; instruction.
I like thy counsel; well hast thou advised.
It was ill counsel had misled the girl.
Counsel
Deliberate purpose; design; intent; scheme; plan.
The counsel of the Lord standeth forever.
The counsels of the wicked are deceit.
Counsel
A secret opinion or purpose; a private matter.
Thilke lord . . . to whom no counsel may be hid.
Counsel
One who gives advice, especially in legal matters; one professionally engaged in the trial or management of a cause in court; also, collectively, the legal advocates united in the management of a case; as, the defendant has able counsel.
The King found his counsel as refractory as his judges.
The players can not keep counsel: they 'll tell all.
Counsel
To give advice to; to advice, admonish, or instruct, as a person.
Good sir, I do in friendship counsel youTo leave this place.
Counsel
To advise or recommend, as an act or course.
They who counsel war.
Thus Belial, with words clothed in reason's garb,Counseled ignoble ease and peaceful sloth.
Counsel
A lawyer who pleads cases in court
Counsel
Something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
Counsel
Give advice to;
The teacher counsels troubled students
The lawyer counselled me when I was accused of tax fraud
Counsel
Professional advice, often within a legal context.
He sought counsel for his divorce proceedings.
Counsel
Deliberative guidance aimed at problem-solving.
The therapist offered counsel on managing stress.
Common Curiosities
Is Counsel more formal than Advice?
Yes, Counsel is generally more formal and specialized than Advice.
Can Advice be professional?
While Advice can be given by professionals, it generally lacks the formality and accountability of Counsel.
Is Counsel always legal?
No, Counsel can be in other specialized fields, although it's often associated with legal advice.
Is Counsel countable or uncountable?
Counsel can be both countable and uncountable, depending on context.
Is Counsel legally binding?
Professional Counsel, especially legal, can carry legal obligations and responsibilities.
What is Advice?
Advice is general guidance or suggestions offered to someone.
Who usually gives Advice?
Advice can be given by anyone, often friends, family, or colleagues.
What is Counsel?
Counsel is specialized, often professional, guidance or advice.
Is it 'a piece of advice' or 'an advice'?
The correct phrase is 'a piece of advice' as Advice is uncountable.
Is Advice legally binding?
Advice is generally not legally binding unless given in a professional context with that expectation.
Can I ignore Advice?
Yes, Advice is generally non-binding and can be ignored without legal repercussions.
Is Advice countable or uncountable?
Advice is an uncountable noun.
Can I ignore Counsel?
Ignoring professional Counsel can sometimes lead to negative outcomes, including legal consequences.
Can Counsel be considered Advice?
Yes, Counsel is a form of advice but is generally more specialized and formal.
Who usually gives Counsel?
Counsel is often provided by specialized professionals like lawyers or financial advisors.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
