I instructed her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I instructed her" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that you gave someone specific directions or guidance. Example: "I instructed her to complete the report by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

My 7-year-old did a little disco dance lying down in bed while I instructed her.

University of California, Berkeley

"As I instructed her in some language point, it became apparent that she didn't know what a noun or a verb was.

The New York Times - Books

When my daughter was ready to start crossing the street alone, I instructed her to look "34 times" before stepping out from the curb.

The New York Times

A statement from the Israeli Police's head of the Child Online Protection Bureau, Meir Hayoun, notes that: "In past meetings with Jordana, I instructed her to always tell anyone who wanted to report any pedophile content to contact the Israeli police to report a complaint".

TechCrunch

I instructed her to pull into a parking lot shared by a pharmacy, a Laundromat, and a gelateria.

Vice

We stepped into our skis and I instructed her with what little I'd gleaned from ogling the Winter Olympics and a few YouTube videos on the sport.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I instruct her in the basic rules of our relationship.

The Guardian - Books

I instruct her on how to resuscitate him.

The Guardian

"Share with the other kids," I instruct her during mommy and me classes.

Huffington Post

("Tell Jonathan that I lied," he instructed her. "I did it for Mother's sake. But it has to be set right").

The New York Times - Books

"Is that really necessary?" she asked, when he instructed her to take off her shoes and socks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I instructed her" when you want to clearly convey that you provided specific directions or guidance to a female individual. Ensure the context makes it clear what the instruction was and why it was given.

Common error

Avoid using "I instructed her" in situations where a more collaborative or suggestive approach is appropriate. Using "I suggested to her" might be more suitable if you're aiming for a less authoritative tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I instructed her" functions as a main clause element expressing an action performed by the speaker. The verb "instructed" indicates the action of giving directions or commands. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I instructed her" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to convey the act of giving specific directions or guidance. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is considered to have a neutral register, is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian commonly employ it. While not extremely common, understanding its correct usage ensures clarity and precision in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I directed her

Focuses on providing guidance or a course of action.

I guided her

Emphasizes support and assistance in navigating a task or situation.

I ordered her

Highlights a command or authoritative instruction.

I commanded her

Similar to 'ordered', but suggests a higher level of authority.

I advised her

Suggests offering recommendations or counsel.

I taught her

Focuses on imparting knowledge or skills.

I trained her

Implies a structured program of instruction and practice.

I showed her how

Highlights the demonstration of a process or method.

I explained it to her

Focuses on clarifying information for understanding.

I gave her directions

Specifies the provision of instructions for navigation or a task.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "I instructed her" that imply less authority?

If you want to soften the tone, consider using phrases like "I suggested to her", "I advised her", or "I recommended that she". These options imply guidance rather than a direct command.

How do I use "I instructed her" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that you gave someone specific directions or guidance. For example, "I instructed her to complete the report by Friday", or "I instructed her on how to use the new software".

Which is correct, "I instructed her" or "I had instructed her"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I instructed her" implies a single act of instruction. "I had instructed her" implies that you gave her instructions at some point in the past before another action occurred.

Is "instructed" always the best word to use when giving someone guidance?

Not always. While "instructed" is appropriate when giving clear, specific directions, other words like "guided", "advised", or "mentored" may be more suitable depending on the context and the nature of the guidance provided.