we were instructed

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were instructed' is a perfectly grammatical sentence that is often used in written English.
For example: "We were instructed to wear our safety goggles when working in the lab."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We were instructed to play it.

The New York Times - Sports

We were instructed to reply to every email.

The Guardian - Books

We were instructed to keep our window shades up.

The New York Times

We were instructed to jot down an undeveloped answer.

The New York Times

"Madam, he said, "we were instructed to be gay".

The New Yorker

He then proceeded to freak out when we were instructed to stand on our heads.

The New York Times

We were instructed to try to answer every question as diplomatically as possible.

The New Yorker

We were instructed not to let anyone call us by our first names.

The New York Times

"We were instructed to do only the hits," he said, which broke up the crowd.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some began: "We are instructed by our client..."...

The Guardian - Money

But after that, we're instructed, the narratives diverge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were instructed" to convey that a group received specific directions or commands, often implying a sense of duty or obligation. For instance, "We were instructed to complete the task by Friday."

Common error

Avoid replacing "we were instructed" with an active voice construction that obscures the source of the instruction. For example, instead of "They instructed us," using "we were instructed" can be more appropriate when the focus is on the recipients and their subsequent actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were instructed" functions as a passive construction indicating that a group of individuals received directives or commands. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were instructed" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a group received specific directions or commands. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various contexts, demonstrating its prevalence in news, science, and formal business settings. Alternatives like "we were directed" or "we were ordered" can be used depending on the desired nuance. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is widely accepted in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were directed

Emphasizes guidance or a sense of path-setting rather than strict orders.

we received instructions

Rephrases the passive construction into an active one with "instructions" as the object.

we were ordered

Suggests a more formal and authoritative command.

we were commanded

Implies a strong sense of authority and obedience, often in military or hierarchical contexts.

instructions were given to us

Reorders the sentence while maintaining a passive voice and similar meaning.

we were advised

Indicates a recommendation or suggestion, rather than a mandate.

we were given directions

Similar to "directed" but emphasizes specific routes or paths to follow.

we were told

A more general term for receiving information or instructions, lacking the formality of "instructed".

our orders were to

Shifts focus to the 'orders' themselves, emphasizing the obligation to follow them.

it was our instruction

Changes the perspective to highlight the instruction itself rather than the act of instructing.

FAQs

What does "we were instructed" mean?

The phrase "we were instructed" means that a group of people received specific orders or directions on what to do. It indicates that someone in authority provided guidance that they were expected to follow.

How can I use "we were instructed" in a sentence?

You can use "we were instructed" to describe a situation where you and others received directions. For example: "We were instructed to wait for further instructions before proceeding."

Are there alternatives to using "we were instructed"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "we were directed", "we were ordered", or "we were advised". The choice depends on the level of formality and the nature of the guidance received.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing instructions?

Using the passive voice construction "we were instructed" is effective when the focus is on the recipients of the instruction and the action they took. The active voice (e.g., "They instructed us") is more suitable when emphasizing the source of the instruction.