instruct them to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instruct them to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give someone a directive or command to tell others to do something. Example: "Please instruct them to submit their reports by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Instruct them to stay close enough to the surface to hear audible instruction.

Huffington Post

Instruct them to be creative and think big.

The New York Times

When students enter, instruct them to view each of the pictures and read their captions.

The New York Times

No doubt, Murdoch did not instruct them to hack into cell-phone or e-mail conversations.

The New Yorker

Instruct them to put the note on the wall next to the piece it relates to.

The New York Times

Instruct them to use the answers that they wrote to the given questions for ideas.

The New York Times

Instruct them to view 2 or 3 segments, preferably from different classes or schools.

The New York Times

Divide students into groups, and instruct them to create a fictional character, specifying sex, age, height, weight and activity level.

The New York Times

Instruct them to listen to their guts when a situation feels wrong and to stand up for what is right.

The New York Times

Instruct them to choose proper nouns (people or places), adjectives, adverbs, exclamations, sentence fragments and complete phrases, as appropriate.

The New York Times

Instruct them to discuss the guiding questions as a group, then individually create the particular visual diagram indicated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instruct them to", be clear and concise in your instructions to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "instruct them to" in informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or authoritarian. Opt for a more casual phrasing like "tell them to" or "ask them to" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instruct them to" functions as an imperative, directing someone to convey specific instructions to others. It is used to delegate the responsibility of giving commands or directions. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instruct them to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, mainly to communicate a directive in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability. While versatile, it carries a moderately formal tone, making it suitable for professional and structured environments. For more casual settings, consider alternatives like "tell them to". When using "instruct them to", ensure clarity and conciseness to facilitate understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct them to

Emphasizes guidance and the provision of directions.

tell them to

A more direct and straightforward way to communicate a request or command.

order them to

Implies a more authoritative and compulsory command.

guide them to

Focuses on leading or showing the way towards a specific action.

require them to

Highlights the necessity or obligation to perform a certain action.

advise them to

Suggests giving guidance with a milder tone.

charge them to

Implies giving a specific responsibility or task.

enjoin them to

A formal way of directing or urging someone to do something.

oblige them to

Suggests a sense of duty or moral compulsion.

assign them to

Emphasizes delegation of a task or duty.

FAQs

How can I use "instruct them to" in a sentence?

You can use "instruct them to" to give a directive or command. For example: "Please instruct them to submit their reports by the end of the day."

What are some alternatives to "instruct them to"?

Alternatives include "direct them to", "advise them to", or "tell them to" depending on the context.

Is "instruct them to" formal or informal?

"Instruct them to" tends to be more formal. In informal situations, consider using phrases like "tell them to".

When is it appropriate to use "instruct them to"?

Use "instruct them to" when giving clear, somewhat formal directions, especially when you have authority. In casual situations, a phrase like "tell them to" is often better.