at the instruction

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Or have a look at the instruction brochure for my electric toothbrush.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the instruction of his client, Mr. Kroll sent a warning to Mr. Rich in Zug.

The New York Times

"The Gore forces, at the instruction of the vice president on down, were not able to follow that tack".

The New York Times

At the instruction of Mr. Muhammad, he learned how to fly hang gliders and brought one with him.

The New York Times

At the instruction of the governor, Sonny Perdue, Atlanta's Board of Education formed a panel to investigate the erasures.

The New Yorker

Strip-searches and worse ensue as apparently decent people agree to perform monstrously indecent acts at the instruction of a "voice of authority".

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Second, Mauricio never looked at the instructions anyway.

The New Yorker

"You're not allowed to look at the instructions, dude" he adds, as Harry leans over to see for himself.

Independent

"The prosecutor general is acting not like a prosecutor general, but a politician who works at the instructions of the president".

The New York Times

Between the five of us, it takes more than an hour of huffs, puffs and shouting at the instructions to get the tent upright.

The Guardian - Travel

However, at the instructions of President Vladimir V. Putin, it no longer bars rallies at many other places like government offices, schools, hospitals, concert halls and embassies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using synonyms like "on the orders of" or "under the direction of" to enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "at the instruction" without clearly identifying the source of the directive. Vague references can lead to confusion and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the instruction" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating that an action was carried out because of a specific directive or command. It clearly establishes the reason behind the action, as shown in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the instruction" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that an action was taken due to someone's order or directive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, demonstrating its usage in news, formal, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "on the orders of" and "under the direction of" exist, "at the instruction" provides a clear and concise way to attribute responsibility and explain the motivation behind an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the orders of

Indicates a command or directive was issued; slightly more formal.

under the direction of

Highlights the guidance or supervision involved; emphasizes a hierarchical structure.

pursuant to the instructions of

More formal and legalistic; suggests compliance with specific guidelines.

as directed by

Simple and direct; emphasizes the act of being told what to do.

following the orders of

Focuses on adherence to a set of commands; implies a structured environment.

on the command of

Emphasizes authority and control; suggests a forceful directive.

at the behest of

Implies a request or urging, rather than a strict order.

acting on the directive of

Highlights that the action is a result of a specific order; more formal.

in accordance with the directions of

Formal and detailed; suggests a process guided by specific instructions.

upon the advice of

Suggests guidance or recommendation rather than a direct order.

FAQs

How can I use "at the instruction" in a sentence?

Use "at the instruction" to show that an action was performed because someone ordered or directed it. For example, "The documents were destroyed "at the instruction of" the CEO".

What is a more formal alternative to "at the instruction"?

A more formal alternative is "pursuant to the instructions of", which is often used in legal or official contexts.

What's the difference between "at the instruction of" and "under the direction of"?

"At the instruction of" implies a specific command was given, while "under the direction of" suggests guidance and supervision over a process.

Can I use "at the instruction" to describe advice rather than a command?

While "at the instruction" typically implies a command, you can use "upon the advice of" if the action was based on a recommendation or suggestion.