a directive was issued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a directive was issued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts, such as reports or official communications, to indicate that an instruction or order has been given. Example: "In response to the recent developments, a directive was issued to all departments to enhance security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A year before North Korean leader Kim Jong-un came to power, a directive was issued for anyone sharing his name to change it – maintaining a tradition upheld by the reclusive state's ruling Kim dynasty, a report said.

The Guardian

At the fourth plenum in January, the number of Central Committee commissions was reduced from 11 to 6; a directive was issued for the party, army, police, and mass organizations to divest themselves of commercial enterprises; and a resolution was made to draw up a national maritime strategy forward to 2020.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The IRB backed up O'Brien with this statement: "A directive was issued to all Unions and Match Officials in 2009 emphasizing the IRB's zero-tolerance stance towards dangerous tackles and reiterating the following instructions for referees: "The player is lifted and then forced or 'speared' into the ground (red card offence).

BBC

In 2002, a directive was issued to completely adopt CNG in all public transport systems to curb pollution.

Wikipedia

As such, a directive was issued in July 2012 advising local organizations that access to HSAs must be arranged via the District Health Management Team.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

During the late 1970s, concerns were expressed about the presence of perchloroethene (PCE) in water, and as a result a European Directive was issued in 1980 requiring nations of the European Community to establish maximum acceptable levels of PCE in water; the United Kingdom did this in 1982.

Wikipedia

In 2002, a European directive was issued requiring member countries to ensure the "re-use, recovery and recycling" of discarded electronic goods.

The Guardian - Business

On Sept. 6, 1939, a presidential directive was issued providing that the FBI should take charge of investigative work in matters relating to espionage, sabotage, subversive activities and related matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When the Harper government was elected, a communications directive was issued that prevented scientists from speaking to the media without permission.

Vice

In 1980, a European Directive was issued requiring nations of the European Community to establish standards on the presence of perchloroethene (PCE) in water, which the United Kingdom did in 1982.

Wikipedia

Under his leadership, a new directive was issued in December 2008 to "develop capabilities for extending U.S. reach into denied areas and uncertain environments by operating with and through indigenous foreign forces or by conducting low visibility operations". In this way, the "capture/kill" program was institutionalized in Washington.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a directive was issued", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the directive and to whom it was addressed for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a directive was issued" without specifying who issued the directive. Omitting this information can make the sentence vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a directive was issued" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an official instruction or order was given. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal contexts. The action focuses on the reception of the directive rather than the issuer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a directive was issued" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to report that an official instruction or order has been given. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in formal contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media sources, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying who issued the directive. Alternatives like "an order was given" or "a mandate was released" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and specificity. When using this phrase, avoid ambiguity by always clarifying the source of the directive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an order was given

Replaces "directive" with "order", simplifying the terminology.

an instruction was given

Substitutes "directive" with "instruction", offering a more general term.

a mandate was released

Replaces "directive" with "mandate", implying a formal command.

a regulation was enacted

Replaces "directive" with "regulation", focusing on the formal rule aspect.

a decree was proclaimed

Uses "decree" instead of "directive", suggesting a formal and authoritative announcement.

an edict was declared

Replaces "directive" with "edict", implying an official proclamation.

an announcement was made

Replaces the entire expression to focus on the act of announcing rather than the content.

a command was issued

Substitutes "directive" with "command", highlighting the authoritative nature.

official guidelines were published

Rephrases to focus on the publishing of guidelines rather than a specific directive.

rules were stipulated

Replaces "directive" with "rules", emphasizing a set of regulations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a directive was issued" to sound more active?

To make the sentence more active, specify the issuer: "The government "issued a directive"" or "The CEO "issued an order"".

What's the difference between "a directive was issued" and "an order was given"?

"A directive was issued" implies a formal, written instruction, while "an order was given" can refer to any type of instruction, formal or informal. Directives are often associated with official bodies, while orders can come from anyone in a position of authority.

Is "a directive was issued" formal or informal?

The phrase "a directive was issued" is generally considered formal. It's suitable for official reports, business communications, and news articles. For less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "an instruction was given".

What are some alternatives to "a directive was issued" that maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives include "a mandate was released", "a regulation was enacted", or "an edict was declared". These options provide different nuances while remaining formal.