following instructions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following instructions" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to indicate someone adhering to specific guidance or directions. Example 1: "The students were praised for their excellent work, which was a result of carefully following instructions." In this sentence, "following instructions" refers to the students carefully following directions or guidelines, leading to an excellent outcome. Example 2: "Before using the new equipment, make sure to read the manual and follow the instructions carefully." In this example, "following instructions" means to adhere to the instructions or steps provided in the manual for proper utilization of the equipment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's following instructions.

The Guardian - Music

I stammer something about following instructions.

The Guardian - Music

Whether following instructions or not, Thomson declined to coöperate.

The New Yorker

These patients, the doctors said, were simply not following instructions.

The New York Times

Please read the following instructions before submitting your request.

Columbia University

The following instructions apply to Stanford University affiliates.

Stanford University

With relief, I accepted his offer, found the dry interior spotless and, following instructions, exited promptly.

The New York Times

"But I was following instructions on a website that hadn't been updated since 2003".

The Guardian

Trainees simulate flights by carrying model planes around the room and following instructions from a controller.

The New York Times

Now that they are finally following instructions, the Devils are crying foul.

The New York Times - Sports

And I said O.K., but I'm very bad at following instructions, especially with music.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, ensure they are clear, concise, and easily understandable. Use active voice and avoid ambiguity to facilitate effective "following instructions".

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language or jargon when providing instructions. Simplicity ensures better comprehension and improves the likelihood of "following instructions" correctly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following instructions" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of adhering to guidelines or commands. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "following instructions" is a grammatically sound and very common gerund phrase that describes the act of adhering to guidelines or commands. As Ludwig AI highlights, it finds frequent application across various domains, notably News & Media, Science and Academia. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overly complex language in the instructions themselves. Alternatives like "adhering to directions" or "complying with guidelines" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in formality or emphasis. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "following instructions" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhering to directions

This alternative replaces "instructions" with "directions" and "following" with "adhering", emphasizing compliance.

complying with guidelines

This alternative uses "complying" instead of "following" and "guidelines" instead of "instructions", suggesting a more formal adherence.

obeying commands

This alternative uses "obeying" instead of "following" and "commands" instead of "instructions", implying a hierarchical relationship.

heeding advice

This alternative uses "heeding" instead of "following" and "advice" instead of "instructions", indicating attention to suggestions.

executing procedures

This alternative replaces "following" with "executing" and "instructions" with "procedures", suggesting a more technical or formal context.

acting according to guidance

This option uses a more descriptive approach and emphasizes the act of behaving in line with direction.

carrying out directives

This alternative replaces "following" with "carrying out" and "instructions" with "directives", suggesting implementation of orders.

observing protocol

This alternative replaces "following instructions" with a single term implying adherence to established rules.

implementing the steps

This alternative focuses on the act of putting a series of actions into practice.

respecting regulations

This alternative replaces "following" with "respecting" and "instructions" with "regulations", suggesting compliance with formal rules.

FAQs

How can I use "following instructions" in a sentence?

You can use "following instructions" to describe the act of adhering to a set of guidelines or commands, as in "The success of the project depended on everyone "following instructions" carefully".

What are some alternatives to "following instructions"?

Alternatives include "adhering to directions", "complying with guidelines", or "obeying commands", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "following instructions" or "following the instructions"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "following instructions" is generally more common when referring to instructions in general. "Following the instructions" is more appropriate when referring to a specific set of instructions.

What does it mean to have difficulty "following instructions"?

Having difficulty "following instructions" means struggling to understand or execute a given set of directions. This can be due to various reasons, such as unclear instructions, cognitive challenges, or lack of attention.