was directed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was directed to" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to imply that someone gave another person instructions on what to do. For example, "The message was directed to the entire company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I hope your boyfriend beats you," was directed to Spain.

The Guardian - Sport

He was directed to report by noon Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

He was directed to her sister's home nearby.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From there, it was directed to the various battle fronts.

The Guardian

Everything he did was directed to the future.

The Guardian

"I don't think it was directed to President Obama".

The New Yorker

A third time, he was directed to board a bus.

The New York Times

And here the certification was directed to be changed.

The New York Times

On Jun. 4th, IRT was directed to feed the Czechs.

The New Yorker

Then he was directed to his dressing quarters.

The New York Times - Sports

The second question was directed to the actors.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what provided the direction to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was directed to" when the source of direction is unclear or implied. Always specify who or what did the directing to maintain clarity and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was directed to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received instructions or guidance from an external source. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly appears in contexts where someone or something is given a specific task or destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

22%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was directed to" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone or something received instructions or guidance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using "was directed to", it's important to clearly identify the source of the direction. Alternatives such as "was instructed to" or "was guided to" can be used to fine-tune the meaning based on the specific context. Ludwig provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its versatility and proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was instructed to

Replaces "directed" with "instructed", suggesting a more formal or authoritative command.

was ordered to

Indicates a command or order, implying less discretion than "directed".

was assigned to

Emphasizes the assignment of a task or responsibility.

was guided to

Implies a more supportive or advisory role in leading someone.

was referred to

Suggests a redirection to a different person or resource.

was led to

Focuses on the act of being physically guided or shown the way.

was shown to

Similar to "led to" but can also imply demonstration or explanation.

was tasked with

Highlights the responsibility given, emphasizing the assignment rather than the guidance.

received instructions to

More explicitly states the receipt of directions or orders.

was given the go-ahead to

Indicates permission or authorization to proceed.

FAQs

How can I use "was directed to" in a sentence?

Use "was directed to" to show someone received instructions or guidance. For example, "The student was directed to the library" or "The funds were directed to the project".

What are some alternatives to "was directed to"?

Alternatives include "was instructed to", "was ordered to", or "was assigned to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "was directed to" or "was told to"?

"Was directed to" often implies a more formal or authoritative source of instruction compared to "was told to", which is more neutral. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "was directed to" and "was guided to"?

"Was directed to" implies specific instructions were given, whereas "was guided to" suggests a more supportive or advisory role in leading someone, offering assistance and direction but not necessarily strict commands.