follow instruction

USAGE SUMMARY

"follow instructions" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to carry out or adhere to a set of guidelines or directions. Example: "It is important to follow instructions carefully when assembling the furniture to ensure it is put together correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

He was raised to follow instruction.

The New York Times - Sports

Own a large collection of individual securities instead, then follow instruction in How to Harvest Losses From Your Stock Portfolio.

Forbes

Failure to follow instruction would be considered defiance to authority and, in this case, defying the teacher.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

As for training, ShiftLabs has designed its product to be as intuitive as possible, but also plans to provide easy to follow instruction manuals and video guides that can be accessed through an Android or iPhone app.

TechCrunch

Computers are simply machines that follow instruction sets known as algorithms, and which is popularly referred to as software so as to distinguish those instructions from the physical computer that actually runs the instruction sets which is the hardware.

Forbes

We were taught to question - to believe with our hearts and minds, not simply to follow instruction blindly.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They just follow instructions.

Harvard Business Review

I can't follow instructions.

The New York Times - Books

Follow instructions here.

Harvard University

Follow instructions in Concur.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He won't follow instructions.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize instructions within the overall objective to help the audience understand the why behind the what, increasing compliance and engagement.

Common error

Avoid using vague language in your instructions. Instead of saying "handle with care", specify what actions constitute careful handling, such as "lift with two hands and avoid sudden movements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow instruction" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to adhere to a specific guideline or direction. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in various contexts, from assembling furniture to medical procedures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "follow instruction" is a commonly used imperative phrase that urges adherence to guidelines or directions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general applicability. The phrase finds frequent usage in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While source quality is good, remember that using clear, concise language when giving instructions will help the audience avoid errors and achieve desired outcomes. When a more formal tone is needed alternatives such as "adhere to directions" or "comply with guidelines" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to directions

This alternative emphasizes sticking closely to the given directions.

obey the guidelines

This alternative highlights the importance of obedience to established guidelines.

comply with the rules

This alternative focuses on compliance and adherence to regulations.

act according to instructions

This alternative emphasizes the action taken based on the instructions given.

abide by the rules

This alternative suggests a more formal and committed adherence to rules.

observe the directions

This implies careful attention and adherence to directions.

stick to the plan

This focuses on maintaining adherence to a pre-determined plan.

mind the instructions

This carries a sense of caution and attentiveness to the instructions.

execute as directed

This is often used in more formal or professional contexts, implying precise execution.

fulfill the requirements

This alternative refers to the completion or satisfaction of specific requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "follow instruction" in a sentence?

You can use "follow instruction" as an imperative to advise someone to adhere to specific guidelines, such as "To assemble the furniture correctly, "follow instruction" manual carefully".

What's the difference between "follow instruction" and "obey orders"?

"Follow instruction" generally refers to adhering to a set of guidelines or directions, whereas "obey orders" implies compliance with a direct command from someone in authority.

Which is correct, "follow instruction" or "follow instructions"?

"Follow instructions" is the more common and grammatically standard form, as it typically refers to a set of multiple instructions. "Follow instruction" could be used if there's only one single instruction to adhere to, but that's relatively rare.

What can I say instead of "follow instruction" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "adhere to directions" or "comply with guidelines".