as he instructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he instructed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to actions or tasks that were directed or guided by someone else. Example: "I completed the project as he instructed, ensuring that all specifications were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The note said, "These are the words of my master as he instructed me to say and to do.

The New Yorker

"High, high, high," Mr. Meirmanov said, as he instructed Regina on a tumble track at the family's gym in Logan Square.

The New York Times

Furthermore, if, as he instructed, the pagan idols were to be discarded, that would mean no more revenue from their shrines.

The New Yorker

"There's names, there's ages, and there's genders," the prosecutor, Michael Farbiarz, told the jury as he instructed an aide to display the lists of victims, page after page.

The New York Times

Then one of them approached the police chief at the roadblock and, without a word, slapped him twice across the face as he instructed him to move.

The New York Times

Controversy also drew attention to the artist's huge anodyne stock-in-trade, chiefly landscapes, which catered to many tastes — as he instructed an agent, "highly colored, serious paintings for Vienna, pleasant subjects for London".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He is heard rushing through the airport, tripping over a little girl's backpack as he instructs Bergman to "get really granular with all that shit".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But there he is in "Khartoum," as Prime Minister Gladstone (a famously moral man) spelling out realpolitik to Gordon as he instructs him at a nocturnal train-station meeting.

The New York Times

The film does this in a quiet, modest way and Bree's personal awareness of this process is revealed through his didactic, motherly nature as he instructs the unreceptive Toby about history and geography.

The Guardian - Film

Fortunately, I've got some cold beef left over from Gravy Week, so I use that in Hugh's recipe, chopping it, as he instructs, fairly coarsely: "this makes the finished pie robust and satisfying".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moving at a quick hour and a half, with no intermission, Seminar is one of the funniest shows on Broadway and Alan Rickman, his jeans bulging at the crotch, is delightfully your worst nightmare as a teacher, and also the most realistic as he instructs the class: "Writers in their natural state are as civilized as feral cats".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality. While generally neutral, "as he instructed" can be replaced with more formal or informal alternatives depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the full extent of the instructions. Briefly summarize or hint at the instruction's purpose to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he instructed" functions as an adverbial clause of manner, modifying a verb by explaining how an action was performed. It indicates that the action was carried out according to someone's specific directions. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as he instructed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, primarily functioning as an adverbial clause indicating compliance with directions. While not overly frequent, as demonstrated by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media contexts. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it versatile for various writing styles. When employing "as he instructed", clarity is key. Be sure to remove any possible ambiguities in order to avoid misunderstanding and to provide all the context possible to help the reader. Several alternatives exist, like "according to his instructions" or "following his directives", offering nuanced ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to his instructions

Replaces the verb 'instructed' with the noun 'instructions' and uses the preposition 'according to'.

as per his guidance

Uses 'guidance' instead of 'instructions', implying a more advisory role.

following his directives

Replaces 'instructed' with the more formal 'directives'.

in compliance with his orders

Emphasizes obedience and authority using 'orders'.

in accordance with his directions

Similar to 'according to his instructions' but uses 'directions'.

as he commanded

Uses 'commanded', suggesting a more forceful instruction.

as he prescribed

Implies a specific, detailed instruction similar to a medical prescription.

on his advice

Suggests a more consultative approach, using 'advice' instead of a direct instruction.

as he stipulated

Highlights a condition or requirement, using 'stipulated' for emphasis.

as he designated

Implies that he specified something, using the verb 'designated'.

FAQs

How can I use "as he instructed" in a sentence?

You can use "as he instructed" to indicate that an action was performed following someone's guidance or orders. For example, "I organized the files "as he instructed"".

What are some alternatives to "as he instructed"?

Alternatives include "according to his instructions", "following his directives", or "as per his guidance" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "as he instructed" formal or informal?

"As he instructed" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "in compliance with his orders".

What's the difference between "as he instructed" and "as he suggested"?

"As he instructed" implies a direct order or command that was followed, whereas "as he suggested" implies a recommendation that was taken into consideration but wasn't necessarily mandatory. The former conveys a higher degree of authority.