do an instruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "do an instruction" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not commonly used, and a more appropriate phrase would be to say "follow an instruction" or "give an instruction." Example: "Please follow an instruction carefully to ensure the task is completed correctly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Two years ago, Mr. Tulley, the founder of the Tinkering School, self-published "50 Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)," an instruction manual (with safety tips) that was his effort to help parents overcome their fears of things children naturally gravitate toward, like making a slingshot, licking a 9-volt battery or hammering a nail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I wish these guys done a instruction book so I have understand it gooder.

Vice

When we do a library-instruction session that involves live-action gaming, we aren't just playing games.

Huffington Post

ThIt article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

Ostensibly – particularly when it came to the federal government's paying her – she was just a cook and a nurse, who did a little instruction for liberated slaves in the refugee camps along the coast of South Carolina.

The New York Times

It was not possible to blind the radiographers to the paddle used, but they did receive an instruction on the importance of working objectively in order to minimize variation in positioning.

European Radiology

He made his wishes known before his death, in 2009; he did not do so with an instruction in his will.

The New York Times

The longer instruction-test interval supports less long-term and trial-over-trial learning than does a shorter instruction-test interval (Yang and Lisberger, unpublished data).

eLife

Life doesn't come with an instruction manual so we do our best to move through it with grace.

Huffington Post

For this experiment two groups of young engineers were given a set of instructions to do a quality process measuring.

Procedia Computer Science

When Masha wants Spike to get dressed again, he takes her instructions to "do a reverse strip tease" literally.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use action verbs like "follow", "execute", or "implement" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Instead of using the somewhat unnatural phrase "do an instruction", opt for more precise and commonly accepted alternatives such as "follow the instructions" or "execute the directive". This improves clarity and avoids potential confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do an instruction" functions as a directive, although it is not grammatically standard. Ludwig AI highlights the preference for using stronger action verbs like "follow" or "execute" instead, which are more precise and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "do an instruction" might be understood in some contexts, it is not grammatically standard and can be awkward. Ludwig AI indicates that it is much better to use alternatives like "follow an instruction", "execute an instruction", or "carry out an instruction" for improved clarity and professionalism. These alternatives are more widely accepted and avoid potential confusion, especially in formal settings. Therefore, it's advisable to opt for these more precise and commonly used phrases in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Follow an instruction

Emphasizes adherence to a given directive; more grammatically sound.

Execute an instruction

Focuses on the performance or implementation of an instruction.

Carry out an instruction

Highlights the completion aspect of the instruction.

Implement an instruction

Suggests putting the instruction into effect.

Perform an instruction

Similar to execute, but can also mean going through the steps of an instruction.

Adhere to an instruction

Stresses strict compliance with the instruction.

Comply with an instruction

Focuses on fulfilling the requirements of the instruction.

Act upon an instruction

Implies taking specific actions as directed by the instruction.

Heed an instruction

Emphasizes paying attention to and following the instruction.

Abide by an instruction

Indicates acceptance and obedience to the instruction.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "do an instruction"?

Better alternatives include "follow an instruction", "carry out an instruction", or "execute an instruction". These options are more grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Why is "do an instruction" considered awkward?

The phrase "do an instruction" is not a standard or natural way to express the idea of following instructions in English. It's more common and clearer to use verbs like "follow", "carry out", or "execute" with the noun "instruction".

In what contexts should I avoid using "do an instruction"?

It's best to avoid "do an instruction" in all formal and professional contexts. In informal settings, while it might be understood, it's still preferable to use more standard phrasing for clarity and precision.

How can I ensure my instructions are clear and easy to understand?

Use precise verbs like "follow these instructions" or "perform this task", and ensure the steps are logically sequenced. Avoid ambiguous language and provide examples when possible.