instructed to deceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instructed to deceive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is directed or ordered to mislead or provide false information. Example: "The whistleblower revealed that employees were instructed to deceive customers about the product's effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ironically, while Thomas says he was instructed to deceive his commanders and fellow cadet as an informant, Air Force cadets are not permitted to lie, per their honor code: "We will not lie, steal or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was instructed to stop shooting".

The New Yorker

Davis was instructed to avoid extreme fatigue.

The New York Times

Monteverdi was instructed to provide the music.

Wikipedia

The colonists were instructed to kill Ferguson.

Wikipedia

Participants were instructed to memorize each pair.

Plosone

Cook pizzas when instructed to.

WikiHow

Do not hang up until instructed to.

WikiHow

Before debate began Wednesday morning, Entergy said it had instructed a law firm to examine the misstatements its officials had made under oath and concluded that officials had not intended to deceive the state.

The New York Times

486, instructing the jury that the law makes it a felony to mint coins Americans could use, even if they weren't meant to deceive, because the government has power to coin money to the exclusion of everyone else.

Forbes

The Temptation to Deceive.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the ethical implications of using the phrase; it often implies a breach of trust or moral code. Use it to highlight such breaches for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "instructed to deceive" when the instruction was merely to withhold information, not actively mislead. Ensure that the instruction involved actively creating a false impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instructed to deceive" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating a directive to perform a deceptive action. It highlights the act of giving instructions that aim to mislead or misrepresent information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "instructed to deceive" is used to describe a situation where someone has been ordered or directed to mislead others. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct. Although used across various domains, it is most commonly found in news, media, and wiki contexts. Alternatives include "ordered to mislead" or "directed to misinform". Ensure clarity when using this phrase by specifying who gave the instruction and the nature of the deception. Given its implications of unethical behavior, consider the ethical context carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered to mislead

Focuses on the direct command aspect, replacing "instructed" with "ordered" and "deceive" with "mislead".

directed to misinform

Emphasizes the act of providing incorrect information, substituting "deceive" with "misinform".

told to mislead

Simplifies the phrasing using "told" instead of "instructed", maintaining the core meaning of misleading someone.

tasked with deception

Shifts the focus to the responsibility assigned, using "tasked" to show the assignment of "deception".

assigned to mislead

Similar to "tasked with deception", but uses "assigned" to indicate a formal assignment to misinform.

given orders to deceive

Highlights the reception of an explicit order to deceive, adding emphasis to the command structure.

authorized to mislead

Implies formal permission or authorization to misrepresent information.

under orders to deceive

Highlights the subordinate position and obligation to deceive as a result of orders.

mandated to misrepresent

Uses stronger terms like "mandated" and "misrepresent" to denote a formal and potentially severe directive.

commissioned to mislead

Suggests a formal commissioning or assignment to the task of misleading.

FAQs

How can I use "instructed to deceive" in a sentence?

You can use "instructed to deceive" to describe a situation where someone was explicitly told to mislead or misrepresent information. For example: "The witness claimed he was instructed to deceive the investigators."

What are some alternatives to "instructed to deceive"?

Alternatives include "ordered to mislead", "directed to misinform", or "told to mislead", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always unethical to be "instructed to deceive"?

The ethical implications depend on the context. While generally unethical, there might be scenarios, such as undercover operations or strategic misdirection in negotiations, where it could be argued as necessary, though still controversial.

What's the difference between "instructed to deceive" and "allowed to deceive"?

"Instructed to deceive" implies a direct order or command, while "allowed to deceive" suggests permission or tacit approval. The former carries a stronger sense of obligation or pressure.