An instruction is typically a command or direction. A guideline is a general recommendation. Generally speaking, guidelines are not mandatory.
An instruction is typically a command or direction. A guideline is a general recommendation. Generally speaking, guidelines are not mandatory.
There are two main differences between instructions and guidelines:
- Instructions are normally mandatory whereas guidelines are general recommendations.
- Instructions are frequently more specific than guidelines.
Examples
- It is a good guideline to check your spelling before sending an email.
- The leaflet includes safety instructions to be followed in the event of a natural disaster.
- As a guideline, check the weather forecast before going through the mountains.
- The boss gave you a set of instructions regarding customer management, so please follow them.
- The United Nations is an organization that provides guidelines to maintain international peace.
- Have you ever given employees clear instructions about what you needed to be done?
- These are just a set of guidelines rather than binding rules.
- Employees who don't follow the guidelines don't have anything happen to them. However, if they don't follow the instructions, may be fired.
A Set of Instructions or Guidelines
As you can see in the examples above, you can use the words "set" and "list" to talk about a number of interrelated instructions or guidelines. Therefore, you can say:
- a list of instructions,
- a set of instructions,
- a list of guidelines, or
- a set of guidelines.
Instruction Synonyms
- specific rule
- direction
- order
- directive
- procedure
- steps to follow (informal)
- dos and don'ts (informal)
Guideline Synonyms
- general rule
- general principle
- piece of advice
- recommendation
