As a language expert with a deep understanding of both English and Chinese, I am well-equipped to provide you with a comprehensive answer to your question regarding the plural form of the word "advice."

In the English language, the word "advice" is a bit of an anomaly. It is primarily used as a mass or uncountable noun, which means it does not typically have a plural form. When we talk about suggestions or recommendations, we generally use "advice" in the singular form. For instance, one might say, "I received some good advice from my mentor," or "Please follow my advice carefully."

However, in certain contexts, particularly in business or legal settings, "advice" can indeed take a plural form, which is "advices." This usage is less common and might be considered somewhat formal or technical. It is often used when referring to multiple pieces of advice or different types of advice that are distinct from one another. For example, in a legal document or a business proposal, one might read, "The client has received various advices from different consultants."

It is important to note that the use of "advices" is not widely accepted in everyday English, and many native speakers might find it awkward or incorrect. The general consensus among linguists and language experts is that "advice" should remain singular when referring to the concept of guidance or recommendations in a general sense.

Now, let's delve into the nuances of the word "advice" and its usage in different contexts:


1. General Usage: In most everyday conversations and written communication, "advice" is used in the singular form. It represents the abstract concept of guidance or recommendations.


2. Business/Legal Usage: As mentioned earlier, in specific professional contexts such as business or legal documents, "advices" might be used to denote multiple distinct pieces of advice.


3. Educational Context: Teachers and educators often use "advice" to provide guidance to students, and it is almost always in the singular form.


4. Colloquial Speech: In casual conversation, "advice" is almost exclusively singular. Saying "I have two advices for you" would likely be met with confusion or correction to "I have two pieces of advice for you."


5. Literary and Formal Writing: In more formal writing, especially in literature or academic papers, "advice" is typically singular. The plural form "advices" is rarely, if ever, used in these contexts.


6. Idiomatic Expressions: There are several idioms that include the word "advice," such as "take my advice" or "ask for advice," where "advice" is always singular.

In conclusion, while "advice" can technically have a plural form "advices" in very specific contexts, it is generally used in the singular form across a wide range of situations. The use of "advices" is quite rare and might not be readily understood or accepted by all English speakers.

read more >>

Advice is mainly used with the first meaning, and in this meaning it is a mass noun (that is, it has no plural). The business/legal meaning, however, is a count noun: it has a plural form, advices. Tip 1: there are just two possible forms for the noun: advice and advices.May 30, 2014read more >>