was instructed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was instructed for" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that someone received instructions for a specific purpose, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "He was instructed for the task at hand." (This would be better phrased as "He was instructed on the task at hand.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The patient was instructed for both training and test sessions that he had to figure out by himself what was the correct stimulus.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

The subject was instructed for sustained voice production of the vowels /a/, /i/ and / / for up to 9.2 s, both in normal speech voice production and in singing voice production as being typically used in classical operatic singing.

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology

In this period the confederate was instructed for two times to try to make eye contact with the participant and asked the participant the question: "Have you been participating in research before?" This gave the participant the opportunity to start a conversation.

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Telephone operators have been instructed for the time being to great callers with "Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Beane.

The New Yorker

Usually an older relative taught an individual these skills, although sometimes outsiders would be instructed for a payment of food and goods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Herald, describing the antics of the Roosevelt men in the Oklahoma State Convention, remarks that the men who did not make the noise managed to get the delegates because they were instructed for President Taft.

The New York Times

The arthroplasty patients were instructed for precautions to avoid dislocation of the prosthesis.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

These students were instructed for the contents and objectives of questionnaire survey.

Journal of Modern Transportation

After the first stimulation, participants and at least one relative were instructed for the correct application of tDCS and were able to stimulate at home.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

All patients were instructed for postoperative face down for 20 hours daily for at least seven days.

BMC Ophthalmology

Quadriceps muscle training and icing after the sports were instructed for pain and effusion, continuing the sports activity.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "was instructed for". Instead, use more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives such as "was instructed to", "was given instructions for", or "received guidance on".

Common error

Don't use "for" after "instructed" when you mean to say someone was told to do something. The correct construction is "was instructed to [verb]", not "was instructed for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was instructed for" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this in its analysis, suggesting it deviates from standard English usage. The correct form usually involves "was instructed to [verb]" or alternatives like "was given instructions for".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was instructed for" is not correct in standard English, as pointed out by Ludwig. While it appears in various sources, its usage is limited and grammatically questionable. Alternatives such as "was instructed to", "was given instructions for", or "received guidance on" are recommended for clearer and more accurate communication. It's crucial to prioritize grammatical correctness to maintain clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given instructions for

Replaces "instructed" with "given instructions", emphasizing the act of receiving instructions.

received guidance on

Substitutes "instructed" with "received guidance", focusing on the aspect of guidance rather than specific instructions.

was trained in

Emphasizes the training aspect of the instruction, suggesting a more comprehensive learning process.

was taught about

Highlights the act of teaching or imparting knowledge about a specific subject.

was briefed on

Suggests a concise and informative session providing necessary details or instructions.

was directed to

Focuses on the aspect of being directed or ordered to do something.

was prepared for

Highlights the preparation aspect, suggesting that the instructions were given to prepare someone for a specific task or event.

was coached on

Emphasizes the coaching aspect of the instruction, suggesting a more personalized and supportive learning experience.

was advised about

Suggests the instruction was given in the form of advice or recommendations.

was schooled in

Emphasizes a formal or traditional education or training.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "instructed" in a sentence?

The correct way is to follow "instructed" with "to + verb", indicating the action someone was told to perform. For example, "The student was instructed to complete the assignment."

What can I say instead of "was instructed for"?

You can use alternatives like "was given instructions for", "received guidance on", or "was directed to depending on the context.

Which is correct: "was instructed for" or "was instructed to"?

"Was instructed to" is the correct and grammatically sound phrase. "Was instructed for" is not correct and should be avoided.

Is "was instructed on" a better alternative to "was instructed for"?

Yes, "was instructed on" is a better alternative when the intention is to indicate the subject or area in which instruction was provided. However, "was instructed to" is usually best when referring to an action someone was told to perform.