send an instruction

USAGE SUMMARY

"send an instruction" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to give someone a specific direction or command. This phrase is often used in professional or formal settings, such as in emails or business documents. Example: Please send an instruction to all employees regarding the new company policy on remote work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That goes to the ministry of sport and they send an instruction back on whether that athlete should be saved or quarantined," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a very small piece of information, and we then have very little time to react, because very soon we have to send an instruction to Rosetta, 'yes, you're go for separation of the lander, or not'.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was only when the Ministry of Justice sent an instruction to every court in the country that they released the data – as PDFs.

The Guardian

Datalinks can also go down without help from an enemy.A related problem afflicting today's drones is the slight delay between the remote pilot sending an instruction to the aircraft and its response (known as latency).

The Economist

Current UAVs – even those controlled by a pilot – also already have some sense-and-avoid capability, to account for the tiny lag between an operator sending an instruction and it being delivered to a plane.

BBC

Additionally, they'll receive instructions to send an email detailing information about the "thing" as well the circumstances under which they received it.

Vice

Then, through SSH, the application sends a start instruction to each node through the coordination network (wired).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Responders who are eligible to take part in the DRCT are sent a baseline instruction letter, a consent form, and a baseline questionnaire.

BMC Public Health

"I was very surprised to hear the news that the prime minister himself sent down an instruction suspending the project," said He Daming, a professor at Yunnan University who helped lead opposition to the project.

The New York Times

From prison, the prosecutors said, Vincent Gigante "sent back an instruction through Andrew Gigante, to keep Barone 'close' to the family, and make him feel 'comfortable,' so that he could be removed when the time was right".

The New York Times

During each shuttle mission, the folks at NASA send a daily package of instructions up to the astronauts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, specify the medium through which the instruction is sent (e.g."send an instruction via email", "send an instruction in writing") for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "send an instruction" when a general request is more appropriate. An instruction implies a specific, actionable command, whereas a request is a more open-ended solicitation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "send an instruction" functions as a directive speech act, aiming to cause the recipient to perform an action. Ludwig AI, based on examples, confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "send an instruction" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey a specific direction or command. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by limited real-world examples, indicates that it appears more frequently in news and science contexts. While authoritative sources such as The Guardian and BBC employ this phrase, it is advisable to use it when clarity and precision are paramount. Consider alternatives like "issue a directive" or "transmit directions" depending on the desired level of formality and the specific action you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue a directive

Replaces "send" with "issue" and "instruction" with "directive", implying a formal command.

dispatch a command

Substitutes "send" with "dispatch", suggesting quick transmission, and "instruction" with "command", indicating authority.

transmit directions

Uses "transmit" instead of "send", highlighting the act of conveying, and "directions" for "instruction", referring to a course of action.

relay guidance

Replaces "send" with "relay", emphasizing the passing on of information, and "instruction" with "guidance", indicating help or advice.

convey the order

Uses "convey" to mean to communicate, and replaces "instruction" with the stronger term "order".

communicate the procedure

Replaces "send an instruction" with a more detailed description of what needs to be communicated, emphasizing the method.

pass along the guidelines

Implies a more casual or informal delivery of instructions using "pass along" and refers to "guidelines" instead of a strict instruction.

provide specific directions

Emphasizes the act of giving precise directions, replacing the more general "instruction".

give a detailed explanation

Shifts the focus from simply instructing to providing a full explanation, which could include instructions.

forward the requirements

Highlights the forwarding of necessary requirements or prerequisites, which might contain instructions.

FAQs

How can I use "send an instruction" in a sentence?

You can use "send an instruction" to indicate that someone is giving a specific direction or command. For example, "The manager will send an instruction to the team regarding the new project guidelines."

What's a more formal alternative to "send an instruction"?

More formal alternatives include "issue a directive" or "transmit directions", which are suitable for professional contexts.

Is there a difference between "send an instruction" and "give an instruction"?

While both phrases are similar, "send an instruction" often implies a written or electronic communication, whereas "give an instruction" can be oral or written. Consider the context to choose the more appropriate phrase.

When is it best to use "send an instruction" over "provide guidance"?

"Send an instruction" is best when you need to communicate a specific, mandatory action. Use "provide guidance" when offering advice or suggestions rather than a strict command.