were not instructed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not instructed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not receive specific guidance or directions in a particular context. Example: "The team members were not instructed on how to proceed with the project, leading to confusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The officers were not instructed or authorised to shoot Azelle Rodney, or anyone else, come what may".

The Guardian

The dress code was "glamorous" but, unlike last year, invitees were not instructed to avoid black tie.

The Guardian

Hole added that they had been searched on entry to the club but were not instructed to remove their shoes.

The Guardian - Music

Others believe the pills don't really work, which is partly because for many years Georgian women were not instructed on how to use them correctly.

The New York Times

Captains Konow and Skaats were later reprimanded by Col. George Baron, director of the agency's law enforcement division, for submitting a report on an incident they were not instructed to investigate.

The New York Times

Those assigned to a daily program — taking walks of increasing distance and doing exercises with a resistance band — had less fatigue, greater strength and better aerobic capacity than those who were not instructed to exercise.

The New York Times

The role was not advertised and headhunters were not instructed to find a replacement for Mr Oakervee, which is contrary to public sector appointment regulations designed to ensure a fair selection process.

Independent

Dr. Zimbardo's prison study was even more shocking, if only because the students assigned to play guards were not instructed to be abusive, and instead conformed to their own notions of how to keep order in a prison: "Lord of the Flies" in sideburns and aviator sunglasses.

The New York Times - Arts

Study subjects were not instructed to exhale or try to cough during the exsufflation phase.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Other than that users were not instructed to behave any differently because of the system.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In contrast to the preceding experiments, participants were not instructed to count the number of steps or taps made.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were not instructed", ensure the context clearly indicates who was not instructed and what they were not instructed to do for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not instructed" without specifying who the subject is and what the instructions pertained to. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not instructed" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone did not receive specific directions or guidance. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not instructed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate the absence of specific directions or guidance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable. Its prevalence across diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, demonstrates its versatility. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial to specify who lacked instruction and regarding what. Alternatives like ""were not directed"" or ""received no guidance"" can offer nuanced variations to suit specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given no instructions

Directly states that no instructions were provided.

were not directed

Emphasizes the absence of specific orders or commands.

received no guidance

Focuses on the absence of guidance, implying a lack of support or direction.

were not told

Highlights the lack of verbal communication or information provided.

had no directives

Stresses the absence of formal instructions or policies.

were not briefed

Implies a lack of preparatory information or specific briefings.

were left uninformed

Highlights the state of being without knowledge or instruction.

were not coached

Suggests the absence of training or specific coaching.

were not educated

Focuses on the lack of formal education or instruction on a particular topic.

had no orientation

Indicates a lack of initial training or guidance on a new situation.

FAQs

How can I use "were not instructed" in a sentence?

You can use "were not instructed" to indicate a lack of guidance or direction. For example, "The participants "were not instructed" on how to use the equipment."

What's a good alternative to "were not instructed"?

Alternatives include "were not directed", "were given no instructions", or "received no guidance" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were not instructed"?

Yes, "were not instructed" is grammatically correct. It's a passive construction indicating that someone did not receive instructions.

What is the difference between "were not instructed" and "were not allowed"?

"Were not instructed" implies a lack of guidance, whereas "were not allowed" indicates a prohibition. For example, "They "were not instructed" to use the software," versus "They "were not allowed" to use the software."