instructive

USAGE SUMMARY

'instructive' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'instructive' to refer to something that gives instruction or helpful advice. For example, "The class was very instructive; we learned a lot about the inner workings of computers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather, it is instructive how a connection with highly visible, car-focused transport schemes can seemingly facilitate a political career.

The Guardian

The contrast with David Cameron's unwise election pledge is instructive: under pressure in the TV debates the Tory leader promised to protect pensioners' perks, winter fuel money and bus passes.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a Jekyll and Hyde compromise of what the arts are having to do to survive as funding is slashed, these proposals could not be more instructive.

The Guardian - Arts

The hacking of female celebrities' personal photos, followed by the hacking of Sony's servers, served as an instructive reminder that you should never commit anything to the internet that you wouldn't want the whole world to know about.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All of which suggests that Palace's four losses in a row which preceded the Liverpool result were less instructive than their four-game winning run in March and April.

The Guardian - Sport

Until they arrive New Zealand are missing their two best batsmen in Kane Williamson, delayed longer in India because of Kevin Pietersen's injury, and Brendon McCullum (as well as their Test match opening attack of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, who would surely have had a fine time had they enjoyed a bowl first thing) but the manner in which the moving ball caused problems was instructive.

The Guardian - Sport

If the restrictive charter for journalists proposed last year, along with some other structural changes, are anything to go by, it might be instructive for him to listen to journalists, troublesome and all as they are".

The Guardian

If respondents base their impression on their own friends and family, and if these friends and family are more of a mix than the biased sample itself, then this will give a more instructive result than headline voting intention.

The Guardian - Opinion

At a glance, the poem's fable-like arrangement makes it seem a simple instructive tale: beware winter.

The Guardian - Books

Taking a look at the full research tables behind the reporting (PDF) is instructive.

The Guardian

It's instructive to remember that when the Tea Party first began to gather steam, the name referred to a "party" in the celebration sense – the Boston Tea Party, specifically: an event of planned chaos, a protest that masqueraded as an Indian attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instructive", ensure that the context clearly indicates what knowledge or information is being conveyed. Be specific about the lesson or insight gained.

Common error

Avoid using "instructive" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler words like "helpful" or "informative" might be more appropriate. "Instructive" often implies a more formal or educational setting.

Linguistic Context

The word "instructive" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that provides knowledge, information, or guidance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage in various contexts. For example, "That was an instructive lesson."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instructive" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that conveys knowledge, information, or guidance. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correct and widely used. It's most frequently found in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using "instructive", ensure the context clearly indicates what knowledge or information is being conveyed. Alternatives like "informative", "educational", and "enlightening" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoid overusing "instructive" in very informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informative

Focuses more on providing information rather than teaching or guiding.

educational

Implies a formal learning environment or intention.

enlightening

Suggests the removal of ignorance or misunderstanding.

illuminating

Emphasizes the clarification of a subject or situation.

helpful

Broader term indicating assistance; may not necessarily involve learning.

revealing

Focuses on making something known that was previously hidden.

didactic

Often carries a connotation of excessive or unwanted teaching.

exemplary

Illustrates a principle or idea by serving as a model or example.

demonstrative

Clearly illustrates or proves a point, often through example.

edifying

Suggests moral or intellectual improvement.

FAQs

How to use "instructive" in a sentence?

You can use "instructive" to describe something that provides knowledge or insight, such as, "The lecture was very "instructive" and I learned a lot." or "The book provided an "instructive" look at the history of the region."

What can I say instead of "instructive"?

You can use alternatives like "informative", "educational", or "enlightening" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "instructive" or "instructional"?

Both "instructive" and "instructional" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Instructive" implies conveying knowledge or insight, while "instructional" relates more directly to providing instructions or guidance.

What's the difference between "instructive" and "informative"?

"Instructive" implies teaching or guiding, while "informative" simply means providing information. Something "informative" might not necessarily teach a lesson, whereas something "instructive" usually does.