Words / C1

d-uh-REKT-iv/dəˈrektɪv/

A directive is an official instruction from an authority: an EU directive, a board directive. Instruction is everyday; a guideline is softer; a tweet is not a source of ratios. Exam-board text names the invigilator ratio; social media does not.

Meaning

An official instruction from an authority that must be followed.

Examples

• “The exam-board directive names the invigilator ratio; a tweet does not.”
• “Instruction is everyday. Decree is stronger and older. Guidance can be non-binding. A ratio is a staffing fact. A tweet is comms. Staff to the board text; archive the tweet.”

Good to know

An official instruction. Everyday: instruction. Softer: guideline. A tweet is not the ratio.

Near in meaning

instruction

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