instructs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'instructs' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to give someone directions or orders on how to do something or behave in a certain way. Example: The teacher instructs her students to complete the assignment by the end of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At a meeting held at the school last month, Oumo renewed his promised to post at least three teachers, but said he could only do so if the district local council instructs him and if parents agreed to contribute a small amount of money to pay for three "community teachers".

The Guardian

Trains are limited to 100mph here – 10mph slower than Norwich in 90 plans demand – with the only concession to those crossing being a whistleboard, a W sign that instructs the driver to sound the horn to alert pedestrians.

The Guardian

A directive titled "Processing Persons Under Department Control" instructs that "investigation or interrogation of an arrestee will not delay the booking process," and arrestees must be allowed "a reasonable number of telephone calls" to attorneys swiftly "after their arrival at the first place of custody".

The Guardian

With a grave look on his face, Frank instructs me to tell him when I feel a tingling.

The Guardian

The document, bearing the letterhead of the Congolese Ministère de L'Intérieur and Police Nationale Congolaise instructs police and other security personnel to track down and arrest government opponents.

The Guardian

Deuteronomy 23 instructs Jews to excrete outside camp and to carry a spade to bury the result.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, recently argued that the Human Rights Act only instructs courts to "take account" of Strasbourg rulings.

The Economist

Her lawyers argued that Cassandra's refusal of consent ought to fall under the "mature minor doctrine", a widely recognised legal principle that instructs medical providers to honour the consent, or the withholding of consent, of unemancipated minors bright enough to grasp the consequences of their considered decisions about medical treatment.

The Economist

He instructs the archangel Gabriel to go down and tell the president that it is time for him to take leave of his people.

The Economist

"Don't fall in love", the book instructs, but you find your story entwined with that of "the pretty girl".

The Economist

This instructs a web-browser how to lay out the contents of a page, but does not tell the computer what the page is describing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instructs", ensure the context clearly defines who is giving the instruction and who is receiving it.

Common error

Avoid using "instructs" in overly informal contexts where a gentler suggestion like "suggests" or "guides" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "instructs" is as a transitive verb, indicating the act of giving directions or orders to someone. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse contexts, from legal directives to educational settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instructs" is a versatile verb used to convey the act of directing or commanding someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in "news & media", "science", and "formal & business" settings, "instructs" carries a neutral to professional tone, making it suitable for conveying authority without being overly formal. Remember to use "instructs" when the context requires a clear and guiding direction, and consider synonyms like "directs" or "guides" to fine-tune the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directs

Similar to instructs, but emphasizes a more authoritative or official command.

guides

Implies a more supportive and less forceful approach to leading someone.

commands

Suggests a strong and often formal order, carrying significant authority.

teaches

Focuses on imparting knowledge or skills through a learning process.

advises

Offers suggestions or recommendations without necessarily enforcing them.

orders

Conveys a more immediate and often urgent requirement to perform an action.

prescribes

Suggests a formal recommendation or requirement, often in a medical or legal context.

enjoins

Implies a formal and often legal requirement or directive.

informs

Focuses on conveying information, rather than directing action.

shows

Involves demonstrating how something is done, rather than issuing a verbal command.

FAQs

How can I use "instructs" in a sentence?

Use "instructs" to indicate the action of directing or commanding someone to do something, as in, 'The manual "instructs" users to press the power button to begin'.

What's the difference between "instructs" and "directs"?

"Instructs" generally implies teaching or guiding, while "directs" suggests a more authoritative command or control.

Are there any formal synonyms for "instructs"?

Yes, formal synonyms include "commands", "enjoins", or "prescribes", depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "instructs"?

It might be inappropriate in very informal settings or when offering a suggestion rather than a firm direction; in such cases, consider alternatives like "suggests" or "recommends".