they were instructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were instructed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone receiving guidance or orders from another party. Example: "They were instructed to complete the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The instruction sheet was read aloud to participants and they were instructed to read along.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The test subjects largely did as they were instructed.

The New York Times

The crowd applaud him too, as they were instructed when bussed in.

The Guardian - Film

If one best friend got ahead of another, they were instructed to stop and wait.

The Guardian - Books

They were instructed by Mr. Elmardoudi to probe the airport for security gaps, the authorities said.

The New York Times

They were instructed to phone in after they left their polling places.

The New York Times

"These are good people who were doing as they were instructed," Mr. McCain said Sunday.

The New York Times

They were instructed to return to their desks and check their e-mail.

The New York Times

They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water.

Ecological Processes

In one, they were instructed to memorize the colors of geometric shapes and ignore their shapes; in the other, they were instructed to memorize shapes and ignore colors.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

They were instructed to walk until the pain forced them to stop.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were instructed", ensure it's clear who provided the instructions and the context in which they were given. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "they were instructed" without specifying who gave the instructions. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Instead, specify who provided the directions to provide more context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were instructed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group received directions or commands from an unspecified source. This is evidenced by Ludwig examples where participants in studies or workers in companies are given specific tasks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were instructed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group received directions or commands. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. To ensure clarity in your writing, always specify the source of the instructions when using this phrase. While alternatives like "they were directed" or "they were told" exist, "they were instructed" maintains a level of formality and authority suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing. Remember to avoid vagueness and always contextualize the instructions for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received instructions

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the act of receiving instructions.

instructions were given to them

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, emphasizing the instructions.

they were directed

Replaces "instructed" with "directed", implying a more straightforward command.

they were commanded

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the instruction.

they were ordered

Highlights a formal or official command.

they were told

A simpler and more informal way of saying they received instructions.

they were given directions

Focuses on specific guidance for a task or location.

they were advised

Suggests a recommendation or suggestion rather than a strict order.

they were guided

Implies support and assistance along with the instructions.

they had been briefed

Suggests a concise and informative set of instructions.

FAQs

How to use "they were instructed" in a sentence?

Use "they were instructed" when referring to a group of individuals receiving specific directions or commands. For example, "They were instructed to complete the project by Friday".

What can I say instead of "they were instructed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were directed", "they were ordered", or "they were told" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "they were instructed" or "they received instructions"?

Both "they were instructed" and "they received instructions" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "They were instructed" emphasizes the act of giving instructions, while "they received instructions" focuses on the act of receiving them.

What's the difference between "they were instructed" and "they were advised"?

"They were instructed" implies a command or order, while "they were advised" suggests a recommendation or suggestion. The former carries more authority than the latter.