Advise vs I'll keep you posted

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Advise

Top 2,000 (common)B1verb

I'll keep you posted

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Advise
 AdviseI'll keep you posted
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ədˈvaɪz/","/ədˈvaɪzɪz/","/ədˈvaɪzd/","/ədˈvaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ədˈvaɪz/","/ədˈvaɪzɪz/","/ədˈvaɪzd/","/ədˈvaɪzɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //aɪl kiːp jʊ ˈpəʊstɪd//🇺🇸 //aɪl kip jʊ ˈpoʊstɪd//
MeaningTo give someone a suggestion about what they should do.I'll let you know the latest news.
ExampleI advise you to finish your homework before going out.I'll keep you posted on the project's progress.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsstrongly, badly, wrongly, about, against, on, be ill advised to do something, be well advised to do something, strongly, badly, wrongly, about, against, on, be ill advised to do something, be well advised to do something, be pleased to, regret to, of, keep somebody advisedkeep someone posted, keep you updated, keep me informed
Antonymsignore, neglect, disregard-
Common mistakesConfused with 'advice'; 'advise' is a verb, 'advice' is a noun., Using 'advise' without an object, e.g., saying 'I advise' without stating who or what., Incorrectly using 'advise' in informal settings when a simpler word like 'tell' would work better.Using it in formal emails where more formal language is required., Confusing it with 'keep in touch', which implies broader communication.
Usage notesUse 'advise' in professional, academic, or personal contexts when offering guidance. Avoid using it in casual conversation where 'suggest' may feel more appropriate.Commonly used in casual conversations to indicate you will update someone on progress or news. Less appropriate in formal situations.

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I'll keep you posted

Frequently asked questions: Advise vs I'll keep you posted

What's the difference between Advise and I'll keep you posted?

Advise: To give someone a suggestion about what they should do. I'll keep you posted: I'll let you know the latest news.

Which is more formal: Advise and I'll keep you posted?

Advise is the most formal of these.

Can you show an example of each?

Advise: I advise you to finish your homework before going out. I'll keep you posted: I'll keep you posted on the project's progress.

Can I use Advise and I'll keep you posted interchangeably?

Not always. Advise and I'll keep you posted are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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