Meaning & use
instruct
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To teach someone a particular subject or skill, especially in a formal or organized way.
Grammar: Takes an object: instruct students. Often followed by in: instruct someone in something.
Patterns
- instruct someone
- instruct someone in something
- instruct someone on something
She instructs first-year students in mathematics.
He was instructed in the art of public speaking.
The course instructs learners on how to use the software.
verbtransitive
To give someone an official order or clear direction about what they must do.
Grammar: Takes an object and often a clause or infinitive: instruct someone to do something.
Patterns
- instruct someone to do something
- instruct that something be done
- instruct someone on something
The judge instructed the jury to ignore the last remark.
I have been instructed to hand over all the documents.
The doctor instructed that the patient should rest for a week.
Word forms
| third person singular | instructs |
|---|---|
| past tense | instructed |
| past participle | instructed |
| -ing form | instructing |
Common combinations
- instruct someone to do something
- The teacher instructed us to write our names at the top of the page.
- instruct someone in something
- He instructs young athletes in the basics of swimming.
- instruct a jury
- The judge will instruct the jury before they begin their discussions.
- be instructed by
- We were instructed by the manager to close early.
Synonyms and how they differ
- teach
- More general and less formal; focuses on helping someone learn over time, while instruct often suggests giving clear directions or training.
- order
- Stronger and more direct; it emphasizes authority and obedience, whereas instruct can sound more neutral and professional.
- direct
- Similar to instruct in giving guidance, but often used for telling someone the way to do something rather than teaching a subject.
- train
- Focuses on practical skills through practice, while instruct can also mean giving formal orders.
Opposites
Word family
- instruction noun
- A statement telling someone what to do, or the act of teaching.
- instructor noun
- A person who teaches a subject or skill.
- instructive adjective
- Giving useful information or teaching something valuable.
Commonly confused: instruct or instructor?
instruct vs instructor
A noun meaning a teacher; instruct is the verb meaning to teach or order.
Practice
The lawyer ______ the client to say nothing until she arrived.
Choose one answer.
The past tense 'instructed' fits the past-time sentence and takes the pattern 'instructed someone to do something'. 'Instructed to' would need a different structure, 'instructing' would need an auxiliary or different subject, and 'instructs' is present tense, which clashes with 'arrived'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “instruct”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.