instruct for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instruct for" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you are specifying the purpose of the instruction, but it is better to use more standard phrases. Example: "Please instruct for the upcoming training session."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She added, "I am shocked to hear how many people in our large offices won't touch the handrails on stairways — as we instruct for safety — because of a worry about contamination".

The New Yorker

In relation to the research question, the study shows that linguistic awareness does make an impact on teachers' practice to instruct for content specific language/literacy.

Functional Linguistics

The mRNA nucleotides coding for proteins are 'translated' in groups of three, and most of these nucleotide triplets instruct for a specific amino acid to be added to the newly forming protein.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I reported for work in early July, dressed, as instructed, for winter.

The Guardian

Telephone operators have been instructed for the time being to great callers with "Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Beane.

The New Yorker

And even if I keep watch, as instructed, for iWon policy changes, who will police its partners?

The New York Times - Magazine

He was referring to Nicolas Cage, whom he instructed for "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," which comes out next summer.

The New Yorker

Usually an older relative taught an individual these skills, although sometimes outsiders would be instructed for a payment of food and goods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the case of Arica, Iquique and Santiago, the systems were deployed on university campuses such that university personnel, who were instructed for the task, carried out the cleaning.

Nature

She gives an old recipe, richer than contemporary in her day, using lard rather than butter, and warm water rather than milk – I replace a little of this with beaten egg, as instructed, for my Easter take on the things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The arthroplasty patients were instructed for precautions to avoid dislocation of the prosthesis.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "instruct for". Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "instruct on", "provide instructions for", or "teach about" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "for" after "instruct" when referring to the topic of instruction. The correct usage is typically "instruct on" or "instruct about". For example, instead of writing "instruct for safety", use "instruct on safety" or "instruct about safety".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instruct for" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, attempting to express the purpose or subject of instruction. However, this construction is not standard English and often sounds awkward. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's better to use more standard phrases.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "instruct for" might appear in some contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and is not standard English usage. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase may sound awkward or unclear. It's advisable to use more precise and accepted alternatives like "instruct on", "teach about", or "provide instructions for" to ensure clarity and professionalism. These alternatives are more commonly used across various domains, including science, news, and academia, as evidenced by the limited examples. The infrequent nature of "instruct for" suggests it should be avoided in favor of more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide instructions for

Focuses on the delivery of instructions rather than the act of instructing.

give guidance on

Emphasizes offering advice and direction, which is a broader form of instruction.

train in

Highlights the process of teaching skills or knowledge through practice.

educate about

Concentrates on imparting knowledge about a specific subject.

teach regarding

A more formal way of saying "teach about," indicating the subject of instruction.

advise concerning

Implies offering counsel or recommendations related to a particular matter.

mentor in

Suggests a more personal and developmental form of instruction.

brief on

Focuses on providing a concise overview or set of instructions.

demonstrate the use of

Highlights showing how to use something practically rather than just explaining it.

coach regarding

Emphasizes personalized training and guidance to improve performance.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use after "instruct"?

While "instruct for" is occasionally found, it's generally better to use "instruct on" or "instruct about". For example, "The teacher will instruct the students on grammar" or "The manual instructs users about safety precautions".

What can I say instead of "instruct for"?

You can use alternatives like "instruct on", "provide instructions for", or "teach about" depending on the context. These options are clearer and more grammatically accepted.

Is "instruct for" grammatically correct?

The phrase "instruct for" is not considered standard English. While some instances might exist, it's advisable to use phrases like "instruct on" or "provide instructions for" to ensure grammatical correctness.

How do I use "instruct on" in a sentence?

You can use "instruct on" to indicate the subject being taught or guided. For example: "The training session will instruct participants on the new software" or "The coach instructed the team on defensive strategies".