under instructions of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under instructions of" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The workers carried out the project under instructions of their supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Acting under instructions of the superintendent of police, two detectives started immediately for New York, taking Li with them.

Cornell University

A Bharatiya Janata Party insider alleged to Human Rights Watch that Narendra Modi and state government were involved in the riots, stating; "Insiders in the Bharatiya Janta Party admit that the police were under instructions of Narendra Modi administration not to act firmly".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In addition, if any problem is identified and the health worker calls for help then for ethical reasons the observers were instructed to provide whatever help they could, under instruction of the primary provider, only recording the step by step actions / instructions of the health worker as soon as possible thereafter.

Plosone

The case was tried before a jury, and a verdict returned for the defendants, under instruction of the court.

Cornell University

Security staff are only able really to act under instruction of the clinical staff which requires resources to manage.

Crime Science

Two 1-hour training sessions per week were performed in groups of five to six participants, under instruction of two trained postgraduate students.

Clinical interventions in aging

"Some of them are doing it under the instructions of their physicians.

The New Yorker

He had raised concerns about the research project and acted in good faith under the instructions of his superior, Walker-Smith.

The Guardian

Under the instructions of a handler in Syria or Iraq, the person then begins planning an attack at home.

The New York Times

Dr. Hunt responded that all veterinary procedures "were done so under the instructions of your authorized agent and trainer".

The New York Times

Under the instructions of Toms, Webb dived into the sea whilst the tide was at its ebb, and he was carried by it in a westwardly direction.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under instructions of", ensure the context clearly indicates who is giving the instructions and who is following them. This clarifies accountability and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "under instructions of" when the actions taken were not directly specified or authorized. Ensure the instructions were explicit, not merely implied or misinterpreted, to maintain accuracy and avoid misrepresenting the level of control.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under instructions of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating that an action is being performed because someone was directed to do so. Ludwig confirms this with examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under instructions of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed because of a specific directive. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While relatively infrequent, it finds appropriate use in news, academic and scientific settings where clear accountability is needed. Alternatives such as "as directed by" or "following orders" can provide similar meanings with varying levels of formality. When employing this phrase, ensure the source and recipient of the instructions are explicitly defined to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the direction of

Implies guidance and supervision, but might allow for some independent judgment.

as directed by

A more formal and concise way of saying "under instructions of".

acting on orders from

Emphasizes a hierarchical structure and a mandatory execution of commands.

in accordance with the directives of

Similar to 'pursuant to', emphasizing compliance with official guidelines.

pursuant to the orders of

A legalistic and highly formal alternative.

at the behest of

A more literary and formal way to express acting on someone's request or command.

following the lead of

Suggests influence and imitation, rather than strict orders.

subject to the guidance of

Highlights that the action is dependent on external advice.

guided by

Suggests advice and support, not necessarily direct commands.

responsive to the advice of

Emphasizes the influence of counsel or suggestions.

FAQs

How can I use "under instructions of" in a sentence?

You can use "under instructions of" to indicate that someone is performing an action because they were told to do so by someone else. For example: "The technician performed the software update under instructions of the IT manager".

What's a formal alternative to "under instructions of"?

A more formal alternative would be "as directed by" or "pursuant to the orders of", which are often used in legal or official contexts.

Is there a difference between "under instructions of" and "under the direction of"?

While similar, "under instructions of" implies a more specific set of orders being followed, whereas "under the direction of" suggests more general guidance and supervision.

What can I say instead of "under instructions of" in a less formal setting?

In less formal contexts, you could use phrases like "as told by" or "following the orders of" which convey the same meaning but with a more relaxed tone.