advisement
Low to MediumFormal, legal, administrative
Definition
Meaning
The act of considering something carefully, or the process of receiving formal advice.
A formal or official state of consideration, often implying a delay for careful thought before a decision is made. In some contexts, it denotes the act or process of giving or receiving counsel.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is a more formal and weighty noun than the common "advice" or "consideration." It often carries an official or procedural nuance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The phrase 'to take something under advisement' is common in both varieties but is more frequently and formally used in American English, especially in legal and business contexts. In British English, it can sound like a borrowing of American legal jargon or be used for deliberate, formal effect.
Connotations
In the US, it strongly connotes a formal, often legal or executive, process of deliberation. In the UK, while understood, it may sound slightly more Americanised or overtly bureaucratic.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
take [matter/issue/proposal] under advisementkeep [sth] under advisementremain under advisementfor your advisementVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take (something) under advisement”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The merger proposal was taken under advisement by the board of directors."
Academic
"The peer reviewer's comments were accepted for advisement prior to the final revision."
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. "I'll take your suggestion under advisement" would be a humorous or ironic way of saying you'll think about it.
Technical
Common in legal settings: "The judge took the defendant's plea under advisement."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will advisement on the matter. (Rare/archaic, 'advise' is used)
- They advisement the committee. (Not standard)
American English
- The attorney will advisement the client. (Not standard; 'advise' is correct)
adverb
British English
- He spoke advisemently. (Not a word; 'advisedly' is correct)
American English
- The judge ruled advisemently. (Not a word)
adjective
British English
- An advisement period was granted. (Possible but 'advisory' is more common)
- The advisement committee met. (Rare)
American English
- She received an advisement letter from the court. (Formal, legal)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The manager said he would take my idea under advisement.
- Your complaint is under advisement.
- After the hearing, the tribunal took the complex case under advisement for a week.
- The policy change requires the advisement of several external consultants.
- The CEO, in a characteristically prudent move, held the aggressive acquisition plan under advisement pending further market analysis.
- The judge's decision to keep the motion under advisement effectively delayed the trial's start date.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a wise (like 'advice') judge in a MENTal deliberation chamber. Advisement = a formal mental process of getting advice.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECISION-MAKING IS A CONTAINER (taking an issue 'under' advisement, placing it inside a process). THOUGHT IS A RESOURCE (something to be held and used).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating as 'советование' or 'адвайзмент'. Use 'рассмотрение', 'обсуждение', 'для сведения' depending on context. The legal phrase 'take under advisement' is often 'взять на рассмотрение' or 'оставить вопрос для изучения'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'advice' (uncountable). Incorrect: 'He gave me a good advisement.' Correct: 'He gave me good advice.' 'Advisement' refers to the *process* or *state*, not the content of the guidance.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'advisement' MOST naturally used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Advice' is the uncountable content of the guidance given. 'Advisement' refers to the formal *process* of considering something or receiving counsel. You give advice, but you take a matter *under advisement*.
It would sound very formal and possibly pretentious. In everyday speech, use 'I'll think about it', 'I'll consider it', or simply 'advice'.
By far, it is the fixed legal/administrative phrase: 'to take [something] under advisement'.
Yes, but it is less frequent and often perceived as having an American or overly formal/bureaucratic tone. The core phrase 'under advisement' is understood and used in formal UK contexts.