did not instruct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not instruct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone failed to give directions or guidance in a particular situation. Example: "The manager did not instruct the team on how to proceed with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

But Benedict did not instruct bishops how to enforce that, he said.

The New York Times

No doubt, Murdoch did not instruct them to hack into cell-phone or e-mail conversations.

The New Yorker

Jack did not instruct him on the wardrobe or accessories; they were all his idea.

The Guardian

Wright said he did not instruct Kineavy to evaluate this way, but Kineavy came to it on his own.

The New York Times - Sports

I did not instruct nor request them to do so," he said in a statement on Saturday.

The Guardian - Tech

"I did live my life," Mr. Romney said when asked why he did not instruct his money managers to avoid such investments.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"We didn't instruct him.

The Guardian - Sport

I certainly didn't instruct anyone to do anything at the time or anything else which was untoward".

The New York Times

"I certainly didn't instruct anyone to do anything at the time, or anything else that was untoward".

The New York Times

"I didn't instruct the doctor to take the IV out, I just mentioned it," Peterson recalled.

The New York Times - Sports

We didn't instruct participants to be rude; we simply measured the normal rudeness that was present in the negotiation setting.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "did not instruct" with more specific alternatives like "failed to direct" or "offered no guidance" to add nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "did not instruct" when the subject lacked the authority or knowledge to provide instructions. Instead, use phrases like "was unable to instruct" or "was not in a position to instruct" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not instruct" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the absence of direction or commands from one party to another. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts, emphasizing a lack of guidance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not instruct" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the absence of direction or commands. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who should have provided the instructions and consider more specific alternatives like "failed to direct" or "offered no guidance" for added precision. Avoiding its use when the subject lacked authority is crucial for maintaining accuracy and preventing misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to direct

Emphasizes a failure in providing specific guidance.

did not guide

Focuses on the absence of overall direction or leadership.

did not order

Highlights a lack of a formal command or instruction.

did not command

Implies a stronger level of authority was absent.

left unguided

Stresses the state of being without guidance.

offered no direction

Highlights the absence of any directional advice.

gave no instructions

Emphasizes the lack of specific directives.

did not tell

A simpler way of saying someone wasn't told what to do.

did not advise

Focuses on the absence of counsel or recommendations.

neglected to inform

Suggests an oversight in communicating necessary information.

FAQs

How can I use "did not instruct" in a sentence?

You can use "did not instruct" to indicate that someone failed to give directions or guidance. For example, "The manager "did not instruct" the team on how to proceed with the project".

What can I say instead of "did not instruct"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to direct", "did not guide", or "gave no instructions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "did not instruct" or "didn't instruct"?

Both "did not instruct" and "didn't instruct" are grammatically correct. "Didn't instruct" is a contraction of "did not instruct" and is generally used in more informal contexts.

What's the difference between "did not instruct" and "did not advise"?

"Did not instruct" implies a lack of specific directions or commands, while "did not advise" suggests a lack of counsel or recommendations. The choice depends on whether the situation called for explicit directions or simply advice.