at the direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an action is being taken based on someone's instructions or authority. Example: "The report was prepared at the direction of the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The indictment said that Mr. Pearl was abducted in Karachi, Pakistan, "at the direction" of Mr. Sheikh.

The New York Times

"They do so at the direction of the president".

The New York Times

The M.P.'s being prosecuted claim their actions came at the direction of M.I.

The New York Times

The fixing will now be done at the direction of a federal judge.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We feel good at the direction of our campaign," he added.

The Guardian

There will be no memorial service at the direction of the deceased.

The New York Times

The nest and the egg were removed at the direction of state wildlife officials.

The New York Times

Colonel Schnurr said he did so at the direction of Brig.

The New York Times

Therefore, at the direction of Governor Bush, we will proceed drawing on other sources.

The New York Times

The Energy Department had given up on the project at the direction of President Obama.

The New York Times

At the direction of the F.B.I., he said, Mr. Wilson wrote to Mr. Chávez demanding $2 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the direction of" to clearly indicate that an action was taken based on someone's specific instructions or authority. This helps to establish accountability and provide context for the action.

Common error

Avoid using "at the direction of" when the action was simply influenced by someone's general ideas or suggestions, rather than direct orders. Ensure that there was a clear instruction or command involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the instigator or authority behind an action. As shown in Ludwig examples, it specifies who gave the order or instruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the direction of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was performed under someone's instruction or authority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure a direct instruction or command was involved, as misattributing responsibility is a common error. Consider alternatives such as "under the guidance of" or "on the instruction of" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the guidance of

Focuses on the supportive and advisory aspect of the direction.

on the instruction of

Emphasizes the instructional aspect and direct orders.

as instructed by

Highlights that the action was a direct result of being told what to do.

under the command of

Implies a hierarchical structure and authoritative control.

pursuant to the orders of

Formal and legalistic, emphasizing compliance with established directives.

following the lead of

Suggests imitation or emulation of someone's actions.

acting on behalf of

Indicates representation and authorized action for another party.

as per the wishes of

Highlights deference to someone's desires or preferences.

in accordance with the dictates of

Emphasizes strict adherence to someone's demands or principles.

with the blessing of

Suggests approval and endorsement from someone in authority.

FAQs

How can I use "at the direction of" in a sentence?

You can use "at the direction of" to show that someone performed an action because they were instructed to do so. For example, "The nest and the egg were removed "at the direction of" state wildlife officials."

What phrases are similar to "at the direction of"?

Alternatives to "at the direction of" include "under the guidance of", "on the instruction of", or "as instructed by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "at the direction of" or "under the direction of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "At the direction of" is more common, but "under the direction of" is also acceptable and may sound more formal in some contexts.

When should I avoid using "at the direction of"?

Avoid using "at the direction of" if the action was not a direct result of someone's specific instructions. If the person was influenced in a more general way, consider using phrases like "inspired by" or "influenced by" instead.