Grammar fix
understand instructions
follow directions
To know what to do because you clearly understand the steps or advice someone has given you.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- It's important to understand instructions before starting a new job.daily life
- In my opinion, being able to understand instructions is essential, especially when learning new skills or working in a team.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: understand instructions (on/about something)
WrongDid you understand to the instructions?
RightDid you understand the instructions?
'Understand' takes the object directly — no 'to'.
Patternunderstand instructions (on/about something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
Natural; 'comprehended the directives' is officialese.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
understand the instructionsclearlyfollowfullyeasy to
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'follow instructions,' which means you actually do what you were told. 'Understand instructions' means you know what to do, but you might not have done it yet.