has instructed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has instructed me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has given you directions or guidance in the past that is still relevant. Example: "The manager has instructed me to prepare the report by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Doc has instructed me to speak loudly, on account of "Mr Palmer's poor hearing".

Independent

"The president has instructed me to turn them all down," Mr. Barnett said.

The New York Times

And he throws down the challenge: "Mrs. Clinton has instructed me to reserve her rights to take this to the credentials committee," he added.

The New York Times

"I just have to advise the court," said the lawyer, Frederick H. Cohn, "that my client has instructed me not to open".

The New York Times

"Nicolas Sarkozy has instructed me to remind you that, whatever his status and fame, he has exclusive and absolute rights over his own image," Mr. Sarkozy's lawyer, Thierry Herzog, wrote in a letter to the publishing company, K&B.

The New York Times

The secretary general "is very concerned and has instructed me to go to key European capitals and Washington to discuss the situation," he said, adding he would visit Washington next week.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Someone must have instructed me to perform this task.

The New Yorker

Before I took my place at the base, Mr. Ferret had instructed me, "Don't look up".

The New York Times

"Tell him you're going on a treasure hunt," she had instructed me.

The New York Times - Arts

On Twitter @AngusTCat, @discoverusaUK and @ariellec had instructed me to head to the neighbourhood.

The Guardian - Travel

Observer lawyers have instructed me to apologise to readers for that last image.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has instructed me" when you want to convey that someone in a position of authority or expertise has given you specific directions that you are following. This phrasing is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily using the passive voice when "has instructed me" is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of saying "I was instructed to...", use "He/She has instructed me to...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has instructed me" functions as a reporting clause, indicating that a specific directive or guidance has been received from another party. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and appropriate in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has instructed me" is a grammatically correct and functional phrase used to report specific directives or guidance received, as affirmed by Ludwig. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to slightly formal tone. The phrase effectively communicates the source and authority behind an action or decision. While alternatives like "has told me" or "has directed me" exist, they carry different nuances, making "has instructed me" suitable when emphasizing formal guidance. The identified best practices encourage direct and clear usage, avoiding unnecessary passive voice constructions. Ludwig’s analysis underscores the phrase's consistent application in reporting and professional communication, solidifying its position as a reliable means of conveying instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has directed me

Indicates a more formal or authoritative instruction.

has told me

A more general and less formal way of saying someone gave instructions.

has ordered me

Suggests a command or a strict instruction.

has advised me

Implies guidance or a suggestion rather than a strict order.

has guided me

Focuses on the supportive aspect of the instruction.

has authorized me

Suggests that permission or the authority to do something was granted.

has charged me with

Implies a formal assignment of a task or responsibility.

has assigned me

Suggests a specific task or duty was given.

was directed by

Passive voice, emphasizing the source of the instruction.

was told by

A simple and direct way of indicating who gave the information or instruction.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "has instructed me"?

You can use alternatives like "has directed me", "has told me", or "has advised me" depending on the context.

Is "has instructed me" formal or informal?

The phrase "has instructed me" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional communication and news reporting, as evidenced by its use in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

How to use "has instructed me" in a sentence?

You can use "has instructed me" to indicate that someone has given you specific directions or guidance. For example, "My manager "has instructed me" to complete the report by Friday."

What's the difference between "has instructed me" and "has told me"?

"Has instructed me" implies a more formal or authoritative direction, whereas "has told me" is a more general way of conveying information. Use ""has instructed me"" when the direction is specific and comes from a person in a position of authority.