he instructed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he instructed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying that someone has given a directive or order regarding a specific action or situation. Example: "He instructed that all employees submit their reports by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

My excuse for being there was that I was having an interview with him, and, as he instructed, that was what I told reception.

Vice

The director wanted a little juice so he instructed that old lady to kiss me.

The Guardian

Apparently hoping to avert waste, he instructed that old forms should remain in circulation until the "exhaustion of stocks".

The New York Times

Five days later when the takeover bid was announced, sending the shares rocketing, he instructed that they should all be sold.

The Economist

He instructed that there should be no funeral, but a memorial concert of his music on the first anniversary of his death.

The Guardian - Music

In a video now made private, he instructed that screaming "Pikachu!" and shoving a woman's face in your crotch was an appropriate approach for Japanese women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Van Gaal clearly wanted it to happen – "write it" he instructed – and that was followed by reports of the club's chief executive, Ed Woodward, flying to Barcelona to arrange everything on Monday.

The Guardian - Sport

He was instructed that he had three career choices: doctor, lawyer or engineer.

The New York Times - Books

I tried e-mailing my downloaded files to a friend's PC, but he was instructed that he first had to subscribe to the service.

The New York Times - Tech

A23 Guantánamo Rules Recalled A military defense lawyer told a Senate hearing that when military authorities first asked him to represent a detainee at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, he was instructed that he could only negotiate a guilty plea.

The New York Times

Farmer added that he was instructed that the medication he was taking would make him sterile, but six months later, he found out he'd be the father of now-three-and-a-half-year-old daughter Cadence, who joined him for the audition.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, follow "he instructed that" with a concise and direct statement of the instruction. Avoid ambiguity or overly complex language in the instruction itself.

Common error

Avoid using "he instructed that" in casual or informal settings. This phrase can sound overly formal or stiff in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he told us to" or "he asked us to" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he instructed that" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating that someone conveyed a specific directive or command. It introduces a subordinate clause that details the instruction given. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he instructed that" is a grammatically sound and useful construction for conveying a formal command or direction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, its formality makes it less suitable for casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "he directed that" or "he ordered that" to maintain clarity and authority in your writing. Remember to use it judiciously, particularly in informal settings, where simpler language may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he directed that

Replaces "instructed" with "directed", a direct synonym implying command.

he ordered that

Substitutes "instructed" with "ordered", emphasizing authority and a firm command.

he commanded that

Uses "commanded" instead of "instructed", stressing a formal and authoritative directive.

he stipulated that

Replaces "instructed" with "stipulated", implying that the direction was a specific condition or requirement.

he specified that

Uses "specified" in place of "instructed", focusing on the detailed nature of the direction given.

he dictated that

Replaces "instructed" with "dictated", suggesting an unyielding and forceful command.

he advised that

Substitutes "instructed" with "advised", softening the command to a recommendation.

he requested that

Uses "requested" instead of "instructed", changing the command to a polite request.

he told them that

Simplifies the phrase, using "told them" to convey the imparting of information or direction.

his instruction was that

Changes the structure to emphasize the instruction itself, rather than the act of instructing.

FAQs

What does "he instructed that" mean?

The phrase "he instructed that" means that a person gave a specific command or order. It implies that someone in a position of authority directed a particular action or course of conduct to be followed.

How to use "he instructed that" in a sentence?

Use "he instructed that" when you want to emphasize a formal command. For example, "The general instructed that all troops be ready by dawn" or "The manager instructed that the report be submitted by Friday".

What can I say instead of "he instructed that"?

You can use alternatives like "he directed that", "he ordered that", or "he specified that" depending on the nuance you want to convey. The choice depends on the level of formality and authority you wish to express.

Is it correct to say "he instructed that"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "he instructed that". It is a common and acceptable way to indicate that someone gave a directive. However, ensure the context is appropriate, as it can sound overly formal in casual conversation.