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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a comprehensive instruction

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comprehensive instruction" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct form would typically be "comprehensive instructions" as "instruction" is usually uncountable when referring to guidance or directions. Example: "The manual provides a comprehensive set of instructions for assembling the furniture."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In order to ensure accurate and reliable data, a comprehensive instruction manual has been prepared.

A comprehensive instruction manual will be developed prospectively which provides condition level information, indicator inclusion and exclusion criteria, and directions for use of the database, as used in the CTA study.

Science

BMJ Open

For each question, definitions and examples for each category (level of responses) were provided in a comprehensive instruction manual Additional file 2. We designed the FVAQ to be completed by a team of evaluators, to reduce the biases inherent in individual evaluators and allow interdisciplinary perspectives [ 18].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The students would spend more time in their writing process (Roca de Larios, Martin, and Murphy 2001), using their mother tongue to think and translate their writing task into L2 (de Courcy 2002), having a lot of grammatical mistakes even after comprehensive instruction (Truscott 1999), and owning a relatively small vocabulary and, thus, expressing less information (Reynolds 2005).

As a result of the availability, popularity, comprehensive instruction manual, price, and speed of the software program CrimeStat, the Nnh clustering method has become one of the more popular tools for calculating crime clusters (and crime densities) within the crime science and crime analysis community.

It's a full-time (24 hours/week in class) comprehensive instruction and employment training program that can help you get your GED and some other certifications, all for free--and it's good cause not to participate in other requirements.

New hockey referees must complete an all-day clinic that includes administrative details and comprehensive instruction.

The book, which is 185 pages long, offers comprehensive instruction on the writing of "clear, concise" spy reports – in much the same way that newspaper style guides advise subeditors and writers.

News & Media

The Guardian

But the problem is that far bigger thickets have grown up at the same time: the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and the Dodd-Frank financial reforms, both passed in 2010, are hundreds of bewildering pages long, partly because Congress regards laws as comprehensive instruction manuals rather than broad guidelines.

News & Media

The Economist

One way Players First provides comprehensive instruction for its coaches is through its partnership with La Liga.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Self-awareness, Emotional Intelligence, and a competence in the discipline of leadership are key attributes of impactful leaders.. Hewertson guides the reader through comprehensive instruction in areas such as the 12 competencies of Emotional Intelligence, defining personal values and fine-tuning your personal mission and vision, which ultimately drive your enterprise.

News & Media

Huffington Post
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using the plural form "instructions" or "guidelines" when referring to detailed directions. For example, use "comprehensive instructions" instead of "a comprehensive instruction".

Common error

Avoid using "instruction" as a countable noun when referring to a set of directions. Instead, use the plural form "instructions" or consider alternative nouns like "guidance" or "explanation" depending on the context.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

78%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase attempts to function as a noun phrase describing the nature of an instruction. However, Ludwig AI highlights that the use of "instruction" in the singular, countable form is generally incorrect when referring to a set of directions or guidance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "a comprehensive instruction" appears in some contexts, Ludwig AI advises that it's generally grammatically incorrect. It is recommended to use the plural form "comprehensive instructions" or alternative phrases such as "thorough guidance" or "detailed explanation" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. When referring to guidance, "instruction" is typically used as an uncountable noun, making the plural form the more appropriate choice. The frequency of this phrase is rare and should be avoided.

FAQs

How should I properly use "comprehensive" with guidance terms?

It's generally more appropriate to use "comprehensive" with plural nouns like "comprehensive instructions", "comprehensive guidelines", or "comprehensive details" because "instruction" is often uncountable when referring to guidance.

What are some alternatives to "a comprehensive instruction"?

Consider using alternatives like "thorough guidance", "detailed explanation", or "extensive directions" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "a comprehensive instruction" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "a comprehensive instruction" is not considered standard English. It's better to use the plural form "comprehensive instructions" or rephrase using synonyms like "thorough guidance".

What's the difference between "a comprehensive instruction" and "comprehensive instructions"?

"A comprehensive instruction" attempts to treat "instruction" as a countable noun, which is uncommon and often grammatically incorrect. "Comprehensive instructions" uses the plural form, which is the standard and grammatically preferred way to express detailed guidance.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: