upon the instruction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon the instruction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an action is taken based on someone else's directive or guidance. Example: "The report was prepared upon the instruction of the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Particular emphasis is placed upon the instruction of the core curriculum.

International Journal of Educational Development

Since there was no suggestion that the Prosecutor had acted upon the instruction of any government, body, or any other person in her decision to indict Milošević, there was no failure of independence and thus no violation of the Statute (Prosecutor v. Milošević 8 November 2001, paras. 12 17).12 17

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

The coding of the instrument was based upon the instruction of the original authors [ 26].

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Justice and Peace Coalition, another human rights group, received a letter from Gono's family indicating that he was beaten to death by ATU officers 'allegedly acting upon the instructions of Charles Taylor Jr on 18 September 2002, at about 4am.' According to the report, the Liberian Ministry of Defence denied Chucky's involvement, attributing Gono's death to 'manhandling' by two ATU officers.

The Guardian

This sinister plot was apparently orchestrated "upon the instructions of the... terrorist Muslim Brotherhood Group" headquartered at a Marriott hotel suite off Tahrir Square.

Huffington Post

According to many experts, the Tribal Hidage was a tribute list created upon the instructions of an Anglo-Saxon king such as Offa of Mercia, Wulfhere of Mercia or Edwin of Northumbria — but it may have been used for different purposes at various times during its history.

Wikipedia

Such is the instruction of ruins.

The New York Times

Lupton compares Angelou's informal education with the education of other Black writers of the twentieth century, who did not earn official degrees and depended upon the "direct instruction of African American cultural forms".

Wikipedia

Like writers such as Claude McKay, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin, Angelou did not earn a college degree and depended upon the "direct instruction of African American cultural forms".

Wikipedia

"Based upon the questions and the answers, it was my opinion he followed the instructions of the court," Justice Agate said.

The New York Times

"He follows the instructions of the marshals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upon the instruction of", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the instruction and what action was taken as a result. For example: "The project was initiated upon the instruction of the CEO."

Common error

Avoid using "upon the instruction of" when the action was merely a suggestion or general guidance, and not a direct instruction. Using weaker terms like "following the advice of" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon the instruction of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the reason or basis for an action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. It clarifies that the action was taken because someone provided a direct order or guidance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "upon the instruction of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was taken as a direct result of someone else's command or guidance. Ludwig confirms this with real-world examples from various sources, spanning news, science, and general writing. While its frequency is relatively low, its usage is clear and authoritative. Alternative phrases, such as "at the behest of" or "as directed by", can offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure clear attribution and avoid using it for mere suggestions. Ultimately, the phrase serves to precisely assign responsibility for an action to the entity that provided the directive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as directed by

This option is more direct and implies a clear set of instructions being followed.

under the direction of

This phrase emphasizes the guiding influence of someone during a process or action.

on the orders of

This alternative emphasizes a chain of command where actions are performed because of an explicit order.

at the behest of

This alternative uses a more formal tone indicating an action is taken at someone's command.

at the command of

This suggests a high level of authority dictating the action, similar to 'on the orders of' but perhaps more immediate.

acting on the advice of

This alternative centers on acting based on someone's counsel or suggestion.

guided by the counsel of

Implies a strong reliance on someone's wisdom or expertise to direct actions.

following the guidelines of

This phrase indicates adherence to a set of principles or recommendations rather than a direct order.

pursuant to the advice of

Implies that the action follows formal advice or recommendations.

in accordance with the recommendations of

This suggests a formal compliance with suggested actions or procedures.

FAQs

How can I use "upon the instruction of" in a sentence?

You can use "upon the instruction of" to indicate that an action was taken because someone directed it. For example, "The document was filed "upon the instruction of" the legal team."

What can I say instead of "upon the instruction of"?

Alternatives include "at the direction of", "as directed by", or "on the orders of", depending on the level of formality and the nature of the direction.

Is it more formal to say "upon the instruction of" or "at the direction of"?

"Upon the instruction of" and "at the direction of" are both relatively formal. However, "upon the instruction of" may carry a slightly more elevated tone, implying a greater degree of formality and adherence to protocol.

When is it appropriate to use "upon the instruction of" instead of "following the advice of"?

Use "upon the instruction of" when someone has given a specific directive that must be followed. Use "following the advice of" when someone has offered a suggestion or recommendation, but there is some discretion in whether or how to act on it.