directive
C1Formal, official, technical
Definition
Meaning
An official instruction or order from an authority, telling someone what they must do.
1. An instruction or aim that guides an individual, group, or organization's actions. 2. In computing, a statement in a program that specifies how the compiler or interpreter should process the code.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun; its formal tone relates to hierarchical structures and official procedures.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
US usage more common in business/tech contexts. UK usage often linked to EU/parliamentary 'directives'.
Connotations
UK: often implies EU legislation or formal government guidance. US: strong connotations in corporate management and computing.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to political/legal contexts (e.g., EU directives).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to issue a directive [to sb] [on sth]a directive from [authority]a directive that + clauseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hands-on directive (rare)”
- “Top-down directive”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A management directive was issued to reduce travel expenses.
Academic
The study analysed the implementation of the EU Waste Directive.
Everyday
Mum's directive was clear: be home by ten.
Technical
The preprocessing directive '#include' tells the compiler to insert another file.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They are directed to follow the new policy.
- The manager directed the team to finish by Friday.
American English
- The CEO directed the staff to implement the changes.
- He was directed to report to the main office.
adverb
British English
- She spoke directively, leaving no room for argument.
- He intervened directively in the process.
American English
- The manager acted directively, issuing orders without consultation.
- They communicated directively to avoid confusion.
adjective
British English
- He took a very directive approach to leadership.
- The teacher's style was overly directive.
American English
- Her management was highly directive and left little room for creativity.
- A directive leadership style can demotivate employees.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My teacher gave us a directive to finish our homework.
- The boss's directive was to be quiet.
- The company issued a new safety directive for all employees.
- We must follow the directive from head office.
- The government directive on energy efficiency will affect many industries.
- She challenged the directive, arguing it was impractical.
- The European Commission's directive on data protection was transposed into national law.
- The judge issued a directive compelling the witness to appear.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DIRECTIVE as a DIRECTIVE from a boss: it gives you DIRECTION on what to do.
Conceptual Metaphor
Authority is a Source of Flow (directives flow from the top down).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a synonym for 'direction' (направление).
- Often confused with 'instruction' (инструкция), but more formal and authoritative.
- In legal contexts, aligns with 'директива', but in everyday use, 'распоряжение' or 'предписание' are closer.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'directive' for informal advice (too formal).
- Confusing 'directive' (noun) with 'directive' as an adjective (rare).
- Mispronunciation: /ˈdaɪrəktɪv/ (incorrect stress).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'directive' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is more common in formal, official, business, legal, or technical contexts. In everyday speech, words like 'order', 'instruction', or 'rule' are more frequent.
No, 'directive' is almost exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'to direct'. The adjective form 'directive' (e.g., a directive style) exists but is less common.
A law is a binding rule created by a legislature. A 'directive' (especially in an EU context) is a legislative act that sets a goal for member states, who must then pass their own laws to achieve it. In business, a directive is an internal order, not a public law.
The most common pronunciation is /dɪˈrɛktɪv/ (di-REK-tiv) in both UK and US English. A less common variant is /daɪˈrɛktɪv/ (dye-REK-tiv). The stress is always on the second syllable.
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