Directions: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when giving or asking for the route to a place.

• Could you give me directions to the nearest gas station?; Follow the directions on the map to reach the event

Used when describing detailed information on how to perform a task or operate something.

• Read the instructions manual before setting up the device
• ; The teacher gave clear instructions for the assignment

Used when offering advice or recommendations on how to deal with a particular situation.

• She sought guidance from her mentor about career choices
• ; The counselor provides guidance to students

Used to refer to official recommendations or rules that suggest how something should be done.

• Please follow the company guidelines while submitting your report
• ; The guidelines for the competition are listed on the website

Used when giving specific instructions or guidance on how to do something or how to get somewhere.

• Follow the directions on the box to bake the cake.
• Can you give me directions to the nearest gas station?

Refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. Often used in contexts involving authority or regulation.

• The teacher has good control over the classroom.
• He wants to gain more control over the business operations.

Implicates overseeing someone's work or activities to ensure they are done correctly, often in a more hands-on manner.

• The children played under the supervision of their parents.
• He works well with minimal supervision.

Involves the act of handling or controlling certain tasks, often used in business or work environments regarding the organization and coordination of activities.

• Effective management is crucial for the success of the project.
• She has a degree in business management.

Used when referring to instructions or a set of guidelines to reach a place or accomplish something.

• Can you give me directions to the nearest gas station? The recipe includes directions for making the sauce

Often used to describe a general direction in which something is developing or changing, especially in fashion, technology, or social behavior.

• The new fashion trend this summer is bright colors
• There is a growing trend towards remote work

Refers to a general inclination or pattern of behavior in a particular direction.

• He has a tendency to oversleep on weekends
• The dog showed a tendency to bark at strangers

Commonly used to indicate a route taken by a moving object or path followed during an activity, also used in education to refer to a series of classes.

• The ship changed its course to avoid the storm
• She is taking a course in French literature