at our direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at our direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is being taken based on the guidance or orders given by a specific person or group. Example: "The project was completed at our direction, ensuring it met all our specifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

adding, "This is something that they did not do at our direction, is not something that we were involved with.

The New York Times

"This is the British government making a decision based on British law on British soil about a British law enforcement action," he said, adding, "This is something that they did not do at our direction, is not something that we were involved with.

The New York Times

It wasn't at our direction," he said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When our prisons are at crisis point, amid continuing controversy about incidents such as the recent killing at Pentonville, consider our direction of travel.

The Guardian - Opinion

A half hour later, we weren't on any road at all — our directions had put us on a path so narrow that no car could ever get down it.

The New York Times - Travel

"There was no telecommunications outsourcing before 1997," Mr. Marks said, "Now it's moving in our direction at a breathtaking pace".

The New York Times

Which for reasons far too difficult to explain (but we are obviously now accustomed to taking figures thrown in our direction at face value without questioning them too much), was somehow transformed into a victory target of 308 for England.

The Guardian - Sport

It sped up, then stopped, then flew at our speed, in our direction, so that to us it [appeared to be] standing still.

Vice

Finally, "Look who's coming!" We all look and there is Jack, on the other side of the glass, sailing in our direction, looking at us looking at him, eyes that stay fastened as he moves.

Huffington Post

We ran on rote, ignoring the signs of destruction, falling head over heals in love no matter how many red flags were hoisted in our direction -- pointed at him, pointed at me.

Huffington Post

It's led us to become more experimental with our direction while at the same time, refusing to shake our pop edge," says Benjamin Plant.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at our direction", ensure it's clear who 'our' refers to, especially in contexts where multiple parties are involved. This avoids ambiguity and ensures proper accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "at our direction" when the action was influenced but not directly controlled by your group. Overstating the level of control can lead to misrepresentation and potential liability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at our direction" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the source of instruction or control. As noted by Ludwig AI, it signifies that an action is taken based on specific guidance or orders.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at our direction" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was carried out following specific instructions or guidance from a particular source. As Ludwig AI notes, it clarifies accountability and assigns responsibility. While the phrase is relatively rare, appearing in various contexts such as News & Media, Science and Academia, clarity in its usage is crucial to prevent misattribution. Alternative phrases like "under our guidance" or "as we instructed" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under our command

Indicates a more direct and authoritative control.

under our guidance

Suggests providing advice and support, rather than explicit orders.

on our authority

Emphasizes the legitimacy and power behind the action.

pursuant to our orders

Emphasizes compliance with a formal set of commands.

as we instructed

Highlights the act of giving specific instructions.

as we directed

Highlights the act of giving direction, less formal than 'instructed'.

following our lead

Implies influence and setting an example.

at our behest

Suggests a formal or urgent request.

per our instructions

Emphasizes adherence to a set of pre-defined directives.

with our endorsement

Indicates approval and support for the action.

FAQs

How can I use "at our direction" in a sentence?

Use "at our direction" to indicate that an action was carried out based on instructions or guidance from a specific entity, for example: "The changes were implemented "at our direction" to align with the new regulations".

What are some alternatives to using "at our direction"?

Alternatives include "under our guidance", "on our authority", or "as we instructed", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, "The project proceeded "under our guidance" to ensure successful completion".

Is it better to say "at our direction" or "under our direction"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "at our direction" implies more direct control or instruction, whereas "under our direction" suggests guidance and oversight. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual level of involvement.

What is the difference between "at our direction" and "with our approval"?

"At our direction" means the action was initiated and guided by us, while "with our approval" simply means we consented to an action initiated by someone else. For example, "The funds were disbursed "at our direction"" versus "The plan was executed "with our approval"".