he was instructed

USAGE SUMMARY

"He was instructed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was given instructions or instructions were given to someone. Example: He was instructed to follow the safety protocols exactly as they were written.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep it simple, he was instructed.

The New York Times - Sports

Antonio Valencia, fresh on as a substitute, simply did as he was instructed.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Books

He was instructed to report to a police station twice a week.

The New York Times

Then he was instructed to write the word "Herzanschlag," which means "heart attack".

The New Yorker

If he needed to follow up, he was instructed to contact Jablonski's personal email account.

The Guardian

Freed after several months, he was instructed to leave the country and moved to London.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Bondurant said he was instructed by the Justice Department to "go with what we had".

The New York Times

He said he was instructed to leave it locked "in situ".

The Guardian

Borda gave Moore a Tinkertoy test in which he was instructed to "make something".

The New Yorker

Mr. Baweja said he was instructed by headquarters in Nashville not to release the tally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was instructed", ensure the context makes it clear who provided the instruction and what the instruction entailed.

Common error

Avoid using "he was instructed" when you mean "he instructed someone". The passive voice focuses on the receiver of the action, not the performer. Be sure to check the clarity to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was instructed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received directions or commands from an external source. Ludwig examples confirm its use in conveying that someone was given specific instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was instructed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received instructions or directions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally considered correct for use in written English. It is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, and its use conveys a sense of order or direction from an external source. When using the phrase, clarity and precision are important to ensure effective communication. Consider synonyms like "he was directed" or "he was told" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received instructions

Focuses on receiving rather than the act of instructing.

he was directed

Implies a more formal or authoritative source of guidance.

he was told

A simpler, more general way of saying he received information or commands.

he was commanded

Suggests a more forceful or official order.

he was ordered

Similar to 'commanded' but can also imply a legal or military context.

he was advised

Implies a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict command.

he was guided

Suggests help or assistance in understanding what to do.

he was shown how

Focuses on the demonstration or explanation of a process.

he was given directions

Specifically refers to receiving instructions for a route or process.

he was taught

Emphasizes the learning aspect of receiving instructions.

FAQs

How can I use "he was instructed" in a sentence?

Use "he was instructed" to indicate that someone received specific directions or commands. For example, "He was instructed to report to headquarters immediately."

What are some alternatives to "he was instructed"?

You can use alternatives like "he was directed", "he was told", or "he received instructions" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "he was instructed" or "he instructed"?

The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize who received the instruction (passive voice, "he was instructed") or who gave the instruction (active voice, "he instructed").

What's the difference between "he was instructed" and "he was advised"?

"He was instructed" implies a command or order, while "he was advised" suggests a recommendation or suggestion. The level of authority and obligation differs.