Opinion vs. Advice: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 29, 2023
Opinion is a personal belief or judgment, while advice is a recommendation or guidance given by someone, usually based on expertise or experience.
Key Differences
Opinion refers to a personal viewpoint or belief about a topic, situation, or issue. It is subjective and can vary from person to person. Advice, on the other hand, is a form of guidance or recommendation provided to assist someone in making a decision or taking action.
In daily conversations, opinions are often shared freely and may not require expertise or authority. Advice, however, is generally sought from individuals who have specific knowledge, experience, or expertise in the subject matter.
An opinion might not necessarily have an immediate impact on someone's actions or decisions. Advice, conversely, is given with the intention of influencing someone's choice or conduct, often towards a specific outcome.
Opinion can be about anything—like taste in music, political views, or whether a movie is good or bad. Advice is more task-oriented, offering a course of action one should or could take to achieve a particular result.
An opinion may be solicited or unsolicited, but it doesn't carry an expectation that the other person will act upon it. Advice, especially when solicited, often comes with an expectation that the individual will consider it seriously when making decisions.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Expresses a belief or judgment
Provides recommendation or guidance
Requirement
No expertise necessary
Usually requires expertise
Impact
No intended impact on actions
Intended to influence actions
Scope
Broad range of topics
More task-oriented
Expectation
No expectation for action
Expectation that it will influence choic
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Opinion and Advice Definitions
Opinion
A personal belief about something.
In my opinion, the movie was great.
Advice
A recommendation given based on experience.
Her advice on investing was very helpful.
Opinion
A subjective interpretation of facts.
The news article was just the author's opinion.
Advice
A suggestion for a course of action.
The lawyer gave advice on how to proceed.
Opinion
An individual's taste or preference.
His opinion on fashion is unique.
Advice
Guidance provided to solve a problem.
I took his advice and it worked.
Opinion
A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
"The world is not run by thought, nor by imagination, but by opinion" (Elizabeth Drew).
Advice
An opinion intended to influence choices.
His advice was to take the job offer.
Opinion
A judgment based on special knowledge and given by an expert
A medical opinion.
Advice
Professional or expert counsel.
She provided advice on tax planning.
Opinion
A judgment or estimation of the merit of a person or thing
Has a low opinion of braggarts.
Advice
Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.
Opinion
The prevailing view
Public opinion.
Advice
Often advices Information communicated; news
Advices from an ambassador.
Opinion
A court's formal, usually written statement explaining its reasons for its decision in a case.
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.
Opinion
An attorney's formal, usually written statement giving an assessment of how the law should be or is likely to be applied in a particular situation.
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
Opinion
A piece of testimony that is not usually admissible when given by a layperson, as in contrast to an opinion given by an expert witness.
Advice
Information or news given; intelligence
Late advices from France
Opinion
A belief, judgment or perspective that a person has formed, either through objective or subjective reasoning, about a topic, issue, person or thing.
I would like to know your opinions on the new filing system.
In my opinion, white chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
Every man is a fool in some man's opinion.
We invite you to state your opinions about the suggestions.
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.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
Advice
(uncountable) In commercial language, information communicated by letter; used chiefly in reference to drafts or bills of exchange
A letter of advice
Opinion
(obsolete) Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
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
Opinion
(obsolete) Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific legal act.
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a doctor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Opinion
(European Union law) a judicial opinion delivered by an Advocate General to the European Court of Justice where he or she proposes a legal solution to the cases for which the court is responsible
Advice
In aspect-oriented programming, the code whose execution is triggered when a join point is reached.
Opinion
To have or express as an opinion.
Advice
Misspelling of advise
Opinion
That which is opined; a notion or conviction founded on probable evidence; belief stronger than impression, less strong than positive knowledge; settled judgment in regard to any point of knowledge or action.
Opinion is when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability, that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not without a mixture of incertainty or doubting.
I can not put off my opinion so easily.
Advice
An opinion recommended or offered, as worthy to be followed; counsel.
We may give advice, but we can not give conduct.
Opinion
The judgment or sentiment which the mind forms of persons or things; estimation.
I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people.
Friendship . . . gives a man a peculiar right and claim to the good opinion of his friend.
However, I have no opinion of those things.
Advice
Deliberate consideration; knowledge.
How shall I dote on her with more advice,That thus without advice begin to love her?
Opinion
Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem.
Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion.
This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises.
Advice
Information or notice given; intelligence; as, late advices from France; - commonly in the plural.
Opinion
Obstinacy in holding to one's belief or impression; opiniativeness; conceitedness.
Advice
Counseling to perform a specific illegal act.
Opinion
The formal decision, or expression of views, of a judge, an umpire, a counselor, or other party officially called upon to consider and decide upon a matter or point submitted.
Advice
A proposal for an appropriate course of action
Opinion
To opine.
Opinion
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Opinion
A belief or sentiment shared by most people; the voice of the people;
He asked for a poll of public opinion
Opinion
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
Opinion
The legal document stating the reasons for a judicial decision;
Opinions are usually written by a single judge
Opinion
The reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
Opinion
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Opinion
A point of view on a specific matter.
Public opinion was against the policy.
Opinion
An assessment or judgment.
The doctor's opinion was that surgery was necessary.
FAQs
What is advice?
Advice is a recommendation or guidance given to help someone make a decision.
Do opinions require expertise?
No, anyone can have an opinion on a topic.
What is an opinion?
An opinion is a personal belief or judgment about something.
Can opinions be wrong?
Opinions are subjective and not inherently right or wrong.
Should advice always be followed?
No, advice should be considered but not blindly followed.
Is advice meant to influence others?
Yes, advice is usually given with the intention to guide decisions.
Is advice factual?
Advice is usually based on facts, experience, or expertise but may still be subjective.
Does giving advice require expertise?
Usually, advice is valued more when coming from someone with expertise.
Can opinions influence others?
Yes, but they are not intended to serve as guidance.
Are opinions factual?
Opinions are not facts; they are personal beliefs.
Can advice be bad?
Yes, advice can be poor if it's based on incorrect information or bias.
Is it okay to disagree with someone's opinion?
Absolutely, opinions are personal beliefs and can differ.
Is it okay to give unsolicited opinions?
While not inherently wrong, unsolicited opinions may not always be welcomed.
Can opinions change?
Yes, opinions can change over time or with new information.
Should I seek multiple sources of advice?
It's often beneficial to get advice from multiple perspectives.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
