instruct

instruct — verb

1. to give someone a clear, formal order about what they must do — for instance, a

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to give someone a clear, formal order about what they must do — for instance, a manager instructing staff to submit a report, or a teacher instructing students to line up at the door.

Example

The manager instructed the staff to complete the safety report by Friday.

instruct + object + to-infinitive (command pattern)

The airline instructed all passengers to switch off their phones before take-off.

Common collocations
  • instruct + someone + to + verb
  • instruct + someone + on + topic
Synonyms
  • order

    stronger and more forceful; often used in military or emergency contexts

  • direct

    slightly softer than instruct; implies guidance toward a specific course of action

  • command

    the most authoritative; used when the speaker has clear hierarchical power

Antonyms
  • request

    leaves the other person free to refuse; instruct does not

Grammar Patterns

instruct + someone + to-infinitive

instruct + someone + on + noun

Usage Note

More formal than 'tell' or 'order'. The subject is typically an authority figure such as a manager, teacher, or official. The most common pattern is instruct + person + to-infinitive.

Common Mistakes

The boss instructed me about the new software.' (vague — the 'teach' or 'inform' reading is unclear).
The boss instructed me to update the software before the meeting.
When giving an order, use the object + to-infinitive pattern to make the required action clear.

2. to show or explain to someone how to carry out a practical task or skill, usuall

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to show or explain to someone how to carry out a practical task or skill, usually in clear steps — for example, a coach instructing a player on how to serve a tennis ball, or a technician instructing a new worker on how to operate a machine.

Example

Tamás instructed the new recruits on how to use the cash register.

instruct + object + on + how-to (practical teaching)

The fitness coach instructed the class in applying bandages to a wound.

Common collocations
  • instruct + someone + in + noun/gerund
  • instruct + someone + on + how-to
Synonyms
  • teach

    broader and less formal; covers both theory and practice

  • train

    implies repeated practice over time toward a specific goal

  • coach

    focuses on one-on-one guidance and improvement of technique

Antonyms
  • learn

    the learner's perspective; instruct is what the teacher does

Grammar Patterns

instruct + someone + in + noun/gerund

instruct + someone + on + how-to + verb

Usage Note

Unlike 'teach', which covers theory and general knowledge, 'instruct' focuses on practical, step-by-step guidance for a specific task. The skill is typically introduced with 'in' (instruct someone in swimming) or 'on' (instruct someone on how to swim).

Common Mistakes

She instructed him French.' (missing preposition).
She instructed him in French.' or 'She instructed him in speaking French.
When instruct means to teach, a preposition (in or on) must introduce the skill.

3. to formally hire a lawyer or law firm so they can speak and make legal decisions

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to formally hire a lawyer or law firm so they can speak and make legal decisions on your behalf in a court case or legal matter.

Example

The family instructed a solicitor to manage their grandfather's will.

instruct + solicitor + to-infinitive (legal representation)

After the accident, Rania instructed a lawyer to claim compensation.

Common collocations
  • instruct + a lawyer
  • instruct + a solicitor
  • instruct + a law firm
  • instruct + legal counsel
Synonyms
  • retain

    formal synonym used predominantly in American legal contexts

  • hire

    less formal and more general; can apply to any professional, not just lawyers

Grammar Patterns

instruct + lawyer / law firm

Usage Note

Restricted to legal contexts. The object is always a legal professional (lawyer, solicitor, barrister, law firm). More common in British English; in American English 'retain' or 'hire a lawyer' is often used instead.

Common Mistakes

She instructed a doctor to treat her injury.' (doctor is not a legal professional).
She instructed a solicitor to handle her divorce case.
This sense only applies to hiring legal representatives.

4. During a trial, the judge explains to the jury the legal rules they must apply t

4.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

During a trial, the judge explains to the jury the legal rules they must apply to reach a verdict — for example, what counts as proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Example

The judge instructed the jury to consider only the evidence presented at trial.

instruct + jury + to-infinitive (directions on procedure)

Before the jury retired, the judge instructed them on the meaning of self-defence.

Common collocations
  • instruct + the jury
  • instruct + the jury + on + point of law
Synonyms
  • charge

    fixed legal term: 'the judge charged the jury' — identical in meaning but restricted to common-law systems

Grammar Patterns

instruct + jury + on + noun

instruct + jury + to-infinitive

Usage Note

Almost exclusively used in legal contexts about judges and juries. Not found in everyday speech. Can also appear as 'charge the jury' (a fixed phrase with the same meaning).

Common Mistakes

The manager instructed the team on the new policy.' (uses instruct like a judge talking to a jury, which fits sense 1 better).
Reserve instruct + jury for actual courtroom settings where a judge explains the law to a jury.

5. to officially give someone the details, advice, or instructions they need about

5.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to officially give someone the details, advice, or instructions they need about a procedure, policy, or their rights — for example, a bank instructing customers on new security rules, or a doctor instructing a patient on post-surgery care.

Example

The bank instructed customers about the new online security requirements.

instruct + object + about + noun (providing official information)

Madison's travel agent instructed her on the visa rules for visiting Japan.

Common collocations
  • instruct + someone + about + topic
  • instruct + someone + on + topic
Synonyms
  • inform

    less authoritative; simply passes on facts without implying action

  • brief

    used especially when giving a concise summary of key information before an event

  • apprise

    very formal; means to give someone the latest information on a topic

Grammar Patterns

instruct + someone + about + noun

instruct + someone + on + noun

Usage Note

More formal than 'tell' or 'inform'. Often used in official notices, policy documents, and institutional communications where the information comes from an authoritative source.

Common Mistakes

The doctor instructed him about the test results.' (ambiguous — could mean the doctor ordered him to do something about the results).
The doctor told him the test results were normal.
Use 'tell' or 'inform' for everyday information; reserve 'instruct' for procedural guidance.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Instruct, direct, order, command, and tell all involve telling someone what to do, but they differ in authority and formality. 'Instruct' is formal and implies giving detailed guidance on how to carry out a task. 'Direct' is slightly softer — it suggests pointing someone toward the right action without the same weight of authority. 'Order' is stronger and demands compliance; it is typical in military or emergency settings where refusal is not an option. 'Command' is the most forceful, used when the speaker has clear hierarchical power over the listener. 'Tell' is neutral and everyday — it carries no special authority and works in casual conversation. For example, a manager instructs staff on a procedure, a police officer directs traffic, a captain orders the crew to evacuate, a general commands troops to advance, and a colleague tells you the meeting has been moved.

direct ↗order ↗command ↗tell ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • staff
  • students
  • employees
  • participants
  • members

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'instruct' comes from Latin 'instruere', meaning 'to build, arrange, or equip'. 'In-' means 'in, on' and 'struere' means 'to pile up or build'. The idea was that giving knowledge or orders was like 'building up' someone's understanding. Latin 'instruere' passed into Old French as 'instruire', and then entered Middle English around the 1400s. Over time, the meaning split: telling someone what to do (giving orders) and showing someone how to do something (teaching) both came from the same image of 'building' a structure of action or knowledge.