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Dictate vs Instruct (Which context or vibe it used for?)

English Language & Usage Asked by Mint Bee on July 30, 2021

I recently found the word "dictate". As always, I dived into the dictionary and took a look for definition. Following is what I found.

Dictate
to give orders, or tell someone exactly what they must do, with total authority

(from Cambridge Dictionary)

At the moment I saw this definition, the word "instruct" directly came to my mind and I was a bit confused. So, I searched for definition of "instruct".

Dictionary told me

Instruct
to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

Two words seems interchangeable for me! So I googled "dictate vs instruct" sort of things. However, I could not able to find any useful information: usually means they are used in very different situation.

What are the difference between them and what situations and mood or vibe they are typically used respectively?

One Answer

Use dictate for authoritative commands, emphasis on authority. Use instruct for educational descriptions of processes, emphasis on making expectations clear.

Dictate has two general uses: either A) to issue decrees in an authoritarian manner, or B) to speak words that are intended to be transcribed by another person.

A dictator is (MW.com):

1a : a person granted absolute emergency power especially, history : one appointed by the senate (see senate sense 1b) of ancient Rome

b : one holding complete autocratic control : a person with unlimited governmental power

c : one ruling in an absolute ... and often oppressive way fascist dictators

2 : one who says or reads something for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record : one that dictates...

Instruct carries more of a sense of teaching or guiding someone about how they are expected to perform a task.

An instructor is (Mw.com) "one that instructs : teacher."

Correct answer by GArthurBrown on July 30, 2021

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