was instructed from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was instructed from" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition should be "by" instead of "from" when indicating the source of instructions. Example: "He was instructed by his supervisor to complete the report."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She was instructed from 7 30 a.m. to 3 30 p.m. each day and studied five languages, including Latin.

The New York Times

"I was instructed from above that we can't maintain such a business model," Jiang said, referring to the officials who run all the CCTV channels, which constitute the Communist Party's most influential propaganda mouthpiece.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A combination oven/refrigerator that can be instructed from a cellphone to start dinner and have it ready when you get home.

The New York Times - Magazine

We had some fights, but we were instructed from the very beginning that it is better to score more goals than to have some fights.

The New York Times

The patient should be instructed from the beginning of the diagnosis of all issue collateral disease and treatment efficacy through which the patient may feel healed.

Cancer Management and Research

All participants were instructed from the data collectors to pass stool on a newspaper that was handed out and thereafter the stool was collected with the spoon following the air tight containers either at time of the encounter, at the end of the day, or the following morning.

BMC Pediatrics

Many hours later I had a succulent pot roast that I was instructed to remove from the sauce and do with what I would.

The New York Times - Food

Porta was instructed to abstain from publishing on divinatory and magical arts and write comedies instead.

SEP

A video from TMZ (below) shows the crowd's uncomfortable reactions as Delaney continues her speech, which she was instructed to read from a teleprompter.

Huffington Post

This group was instructed to abstain from alternative nut consumption.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Each patient was instructed to abstain from sexual activity for 72 h and self-collect a semen sample, which was analyzed within 1 h of collection.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "was instructed from". Instead, use "was instructed by" followed by the person or entity providing the instruction. For instance, "He was instructed by his supervisor to complete the report."

Common error

The most common mistake is using "from" instead of "by" when indicating the source of instructions. Using "from" incorrectly suggests that the instruction originated or was removed from the source, rather than given by it. Always use "by" to denote the instructor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was instructed from" functions as a passive construction where someone received directions, but it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI indicates the correct preposition should be "by".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was instructed from" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "by" instead of "from". While there are a few examples in news and scientific sources, the overall consensus is that this phrasing should be avoided. Using alternatives such as "was directed by" or "was guided by" is recommended for clarity and grammatical accuracy. Always prioritize using "was instructed by" when you want to express that someone received instructions from a specific source.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was directed by

Replaces "instructed from" with "directed by", which is grammatically sound and conveys the same sense of being told what to do by someone.

was guided by

Substitutes "instructed from" with "guided by", implying a more supportive form of direction.

received instructions from

Rephrases to focus on the act of receiving instructions, using a more conventional verb and preposition.

was taught by

Changes the verb to "taught" which implies a learning context, and uses the correct preposition "by".

was commanded by

Replaces "instructed" with "commanded", suggesting a more authoritative directive.

was advised by

Substitutes "instructed" with "advised", indicating that the direction was in the form of advice.

was ordered by

Similar to "commanded", but "ordered" may imply a formal or official directive.

was briefed by

Implies that the instructions were given as part of a briefing, usually for a specific task or mission.

was coached by

Suggests instruction within a training context, typically involving skill development.

was educated by

Indicates that instruction happened in a formal or informal way.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say who gave instructions?

The correct way is to use "by" to indicate the source of the instruction. For example, "He was instructed by his manager" is correct, while "He was instructed from his manager" is incorrect.

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

You can use alternatives like "was directed by", "was guided by", or "received instructions from" depending on the context.

Is "was instructed from" grammatically correct?

No, "was instructed from" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "was instructed by". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment.

What's the difference between "was instructed by" and "was instructed from"?

"Was instructed by" indicates the person or entity who gave the instructions, while "was instructed from" is not standard English and should be avoided. The correct form clarifies the source of the direction, such as "The student was instructed by the teacher".