What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instruction
Example
The instruction manual provided clear steps for assembling the furniture. [instruction: noun]
Example
She gave me instructions on how to use the new software. [instructions: plural noun]
teaching
Example
He is passionate about teaching history to high school students. [teaching: gerund or present participle]
Example
She has a degree in teaching and works as a primary school teacher. [teaching: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Teaching is more commonly used than instruction in everyday language, especially when referring to the profession of educating students. However, instruction is still widely used in various contexts, such as providing guidelines for using a product or completing a task.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between instruction and teaching?
Teaching is typically associated with a formal and professional tone, while instruction can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the situation.