Advice vs. Instruction — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
Advice refers to guidance or suggestions about possible actions, while Instruction is a directive or order on how something should be done.
Difference Between Advice and Instruction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Advice and Instruction are both forms of imparting knowledge, but they cater to different purposes. Advice offers suggestions or recommendations without any obligation to act upon it. In contrast, Instruction provides a clear and often step-by-step method to achieve a specific outcome.
In the realm of personal matters, Advice is generally what one seeks when they are unsure about a decision. For example, one might seek advice on career choices or relationships. On the other hand, Instruction is what you'd follow when learning a new skill, like cooking or assembling a product.
Offering Advice is often a subjective act, based on the adviser's experiences, beliefs, and understanding. It's more about providing an informed opinion. In contrast, giving Instruction is more about imparting objective knowledge, ensuring the recipient can accomplish a task correctly.
While Advice is usually open-ended and allows for individual interpretation, Instruction tends to be specific, providing a roadmap or procedure to be followed. For instance, financial advisors give advice on investment strategies, but software manuals provide instruction on usage.
The efficacy of Advice is often judged based on the outcomes when followed, and it can be taken or left based on the individual's discretion. In contrast, the clarity, accuracy, and comprehensibility often judge the quality of Instruction.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Suggestion or recommendation
Directive or order
Basis
Often subjective based on experience
Objective, based on factual knowledge
Obligation
Generally non-obligatory
Expected to be followed
Scope
Open-ended, allows for interpretation
Specific, provides a clear method
Typical Usage
Decision-making in personal matters
Learning new skills or tasks
Compare with Definitions
Advice
An informed opinion provided to guide someone.
The financial consultant's advice was to diversify the portfolio.
Instruction
Detailed information on how something should be done.
The box came with an instruction manual.
Advice
Suggestions given to help make a decision.
My best friend's advice was to take the job offer.
Instruction
Teaching or training on a particular subject.
He received piano instruction from a renowned musician.
Advice
Counsel provided to steer someone's actions.
Upon her advice, I started attending therapy sessions.
Instruction
An order or command meant to be followed.
The general gave his troops the instruction to hold their position.
Advice
Guidance or recommendations offered based on experience.
He took his father's advice and pursued a degree in engineering.
Instruction
Step-by-step guidelines for performing a task.
The cooking instruction recommended simmering the sauce for two hours.
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.
Instruction
The act, practice, or profession of instructing
Math instruction.
Advice
An opinion given based on knowledge or experience.
His advice on the subject, having been in the industry for decades, was invaluable.
Instruction
Imparted knowledge
We sought further instruction in a more advanced class.
Advice
Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
Instruction
An imparted or acquired item of knowledge
The judge gave the jury an instruction in how the law defines an accomplice.
Advice
Often advices Information communicated; news
Advices from an ambassador.
Instruction
Often instructions An authoritative direction to be obeyed; an order
Had instructions to be home by midnight.
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
Instruction
Instructions Detailed directions about how to do something
Read the instructions for assembly.
Advice
Information or news given; intelligence
Late advices from France
Instruction
(Computers) A sequence of bits that tells a central processing unit to perform a particular operation and can contain data to be used in the operation.
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.
Instruction
(uncountable) The act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with information or knowledge.
Students receive instruction in the arts and sciences.
Instruction will be provided on how to handle difficult customers.
Advice
(uncountable) In commercial language, information communicated by letter; used chiefly in reference to drafts or bills of exchange
A letter of advice
Instruction
(countable) An instance of the information or knowledge so furnished.
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
Instruction
(countable) An order or command.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific legal act.
Instruction
(computing) A single operation of a processor defined by an instruction set architecture.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Instruction
A set of directions provided by a manufacturer for the users of a product or service.
Advice
In aspect-oriented programming, the code whose execution is triggered when a join point is reached.
Instruction
The act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with knowledge; information.
Advice
An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
Instruction
That which instructs, or with which one is instructed; the intelligence or information imparted
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
How shall I dote on her with more advice,That thus without advice begin to love her?
Instruction
A segment of coded data that is interpreted by a computer as a command to perform an operation or series of operations. The term instruction is applied to both the electronic form of the data as represented in and executed by the computer, and to any line of written computer code which is interpreted as one instruction by a compiler. A computer program is comprised of one or more instructions.
Advice
Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; - commonly in the plural.
Instruction
A message describing how something is to be done;
He gave directions faster than she could follow them
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Instruction
The activities of educating or instructing or teaching; activities that impart knowledge or skill;
He received no formal education
Our instruction was carefully programmed
Good teaching is seldom rewarded
Advice
A proposal for an appropriate course of action
Instruction
The profession of a teacher;
He prepared for teaching while still in college
Pedagogy is recognized as an important profession
Instruction
(computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
Instruction
A directive given to guide action.
Her instruction was clear: finish the task by noon.
Common Curiosities
Is Advice obligatory?
No, Advice is typically non-obligatory and can be accepted or declined.
What is Advice?
Advice is guidance or suggestions given based on experience or knowledge.
What does Instruction mean?
Instruction refers to a directive or detailed information on how something should be done.
Is Instruction open to interpretation?
Typically, Instruction is clear and specific, meant to be followed as given.
Can Advice be professional?
Yes, professionals like lawyers, doctors, and financial advisors often provide expert Advice.
Can Advice be subjective?
Yes, Advice can often be subjective, based on the adviser's personal experiences and beliefs.
Are there consequences for not following Instruction?
Yes, not following Instruction can lead to mistakes, mishaps, or a task not being completed correctly.
When would one seek Instruction?
One would seek Instruction when they need specific steps or details to accomplish a task.
Where might one find Advice?
One might seek Advice from friends, family, or professionals, depending on the context.
What is a common source of Instruction?
Manuals, tutorials, and classes are common sources of Instruction.
Who typically gives Instruction?
Teachers, trainers, supervisors, and manuals are common sources of Instruction.
Can one ask for clarification on Instruction?
Absolutely, seeking clarity on Instruction can ensure the task is done correctly.
Is all Advice good?
Not necessarily. It's essential to consider the source and context of the Advice.
Why is clear Instruction important?
Clear Instruction ensures tasks are done accurately, safely, and efficiently.
Can Advice change over time?
Yes, as situations, knowledge, or perspectives change, the Advice given may also evolve.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
