What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
guideline
Example
The company has issued guidelines for employees to follow when working from home. [guidelines: noun]
Example
These guidelines will help you write a successful grant proposal. [guidelines: plural noun]
advice
Example
My friend gave me some good advice on how to prepare for the job interview. [advice: noun]
Example
The coach advised the team to focus on defense during the second half of the game. [advised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Advice is more commonly used than guideline in everyday language. Advice is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while guideline is less common and refers to a more formal and structured approach.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between guideline and advice?
Guideline is typically associated with a formal and objective tone, while advice can be used in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be more versatile in terms of formality level.