instilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'instilled' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used as a verb, meaning to cause someone or something to have a particular feeling, knowledge, or attitude, usually through teaching or instruction. For example, "The coach instilled a sense of determination in the players."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Pulis who oversaw safety last term, his No1 praising the "organisation" instilled in a squad who made history by surviving a Premier League campaign for the first time since the elite were revamped.

The Guardian - Sport

Recalling his journalistic mentor, former Times editor Charlie Wilson, the brilliant Matthew Parris once said: "Charlie, foremost among others, instilled in me the understanding that journalism is a trade, not an art or a work of genius.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Powell, as Hanif Kureishi rightly points out in a piece on the same day, instilled real fear in many immigrant communities, and played a major role in instigating the wave of popular white racism from which the National Front and other fascist organisations profited in the 1970s.

The Guardian

He was doing a reasonable job at Dundee United, but when our manager Craig Levein took over back in October 2006, he recognised Barry's potential, instilled some self belief and Robson became a class act.

The Guardian - Sport

Stoke's performance was testament to the mentality that Mark Hughes has instilled as well as the fitness methods – the manager's teams always finish the season strongly.

The Guardian - Sport

I think her father instilled that in her.

The Guardian

Then he instilled some own-brand stability: sacking and unsacking Brian McDermott inside 24 hours; pledging not to sack Dave Hockaday ("It's too simple to sack him. If I fire anyone, I should fire myself, or else I'm a coward.

The Guardian - Sport

But, according to Robert Manchin, former managing director of Gallup Europe, the trend is likely to be driven by changes in mobilisation techniques adopted by the country's main parties, and the emotional nature of electoral issues - such as identity - and urgency instilled in close races by both the Socialists and FIDESZ.

The Guardian

It's true that the fear of talking to people we don't know is instilled in us at a young age; strangers are an unknown and the unknown fills us with fear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her father, who died when she was 10, was a foundry worker and keen naturalist who instilled in her a love of science.

The Guardian

Such thinking has become instilled on both sides an outcome unthinkable to all those involved in the independence movement.The decision to divide India on religious lines was taken with regret but little foreboding and carried out with outrageous haste and unconcern by the British government and its viceroy in India, Lord Mountbatten.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instilled", ensure that the subject receiving the quality is receptive and capable of adopting it. The word implies a successful transfer of values or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying who or what did the instilling. Unclear attribution can weaken the sentence and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The word "instilled" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense, describing the action of gradually and purposefully introducing a quality, belief, or value into someone's character. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instilled" is a verb predominantly used in the past tense to describe the action of deliberately imparting a quality, belief, or value into someone. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread acceptance. It commonly appears in news, encyclopedia and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. Effective use of "instilled" involves clearly attributing the source of influence and ensuring the recipient is capable of adopting the quality. By avoiding ambiguity and focusing on clear, intentional action, writers can leverage the power of "instilled" to convey meaningful information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inculcated

Implies persistent teaching or repetition, often to establish an idea or habit firmly.

implanted

Suggests a deeply rooted or fixed insertion of something, often an idea or feeling.

ingrained

Emphasizes that something has become deeply embedded and difficult to remove.

imparted

Focuses on the act of giving or bestowing knowledge, skills, or qualities.

fostered

Highlights the act of nurturing and encouraging the growth of something over time.

cultivated

Suggests careful and deliberate development of something, similar to gardening.

injected

Implies introducing something new or different into a system or situation.

infused

Focuses on permeating something with a particular quality or essence.

impressed

Emphasizes the lasting effect or impact that something has on someone.

indoctrinated

Implies teaching someone to fully accept the ideas and beliefs of a particular group, often uncritically.

FAQs

How is "instilled" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "instilled" describes the act of imparting a quality, value, or belief in someone through teaching or example. For instance, "His parents "instilled a love of reading" in him".

What are some alternatives to using "instilled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "imparted", "inculcated", or "fostered" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say something was "instilled upon" someone?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "instilled in" is more common and natural-sounding. "Instilled in" emphasizes the internal adoption of the quality, whereas "instilled upon" can sound somewhat forced.

What's the difference between "instilled" and "inspired"?

"Instilled" implies a deliberate and gradual process of imparting a quality, while "inspired" suggests a sudden burst of enthusiasm or motivation. For example, a teacher might instill discipline, but a great speech inspires action.