Teach vs. Instruct vs. Educate

These three verbs are closely related but they are used in different context and have grammatical differences as well. Follow the lesson to find out more.

What is the difference between 'teach' and 'instruct' and 'educate'?

'Teach', 'instruct', and 'educate' are all related to the act of transferring knowledge or providing guidance to someone. However, 'teach' is mostly used in the context of transferring knowledge and information, while 'instruct' is more concerned with enabling one to perform practical tasks, and 'educate' is a broader term that covers all areas of development of an individual. This lesson will discuss the differences between these three verbs.

Context of Use

'Teach' generally refers to the process of facilitation of learning and transferring knowledge, skills, or information to someone by explaining, demonstrating, or guiding them through a subject or topic. For example, you 'teach' a subject such as math, English, classical literature, etc. or teach a skills such as driving, riding a bike, cooking, etc. 'Instruct' is typically concerned with providing specific, clear, step-by-step directions or guidance to someone to enable them to carry out a particular task or activity. It is concerned with enabling someone to do something at the moment and unlike teaching, does not try to instill long-term abilities. For example, a manual 'instructs' you on how to initiate an appliance, or a recipe instructs you on how to cook a meal, but does not teach you the skill of cooking. Here are some examples:

She teaches English at the local school.

The professor taught the students about the principles of physics.

The manual instructs users on how to assemble the furniture.

She instructed her assistant on how to prepare the presentation.

This sentence implies that she gave step by step guidelines on how to prepare the presentation.

She taught her assistant how to prepare the presentation.

This sentence implies that she explained how the presentation should be prepared.

'Educate', on the other hand, goes beyond the specific act of teaching or instructing. While teaching and instruction are typically applied in specific subject areas or skill domains, education is a more comprehensive process that can be applied to various aspects of life, including academic subjects, social skills, values, and personal development. However, educating can be more indirect than teaching or instructing. It can target a larger audience and be done through means such as mass media, pamphlets, signs in public spaces, etc.

The film aims to educate viewers about the realities of climate change.

The organization aims to educate the public on health issues.

You cannot 'teach' or 'instruct' health issues to the public as it is not a specific subject of study or a practical task.

Grammatical Difference

'Teach' and 'instruct' are ditransitive verbs verbs that can take a direct and an indirect. However, the direct object of 'teach' can be a noun or noun phrase, while the direct object of 'instruct' is typically a prepositional phrase with 'on'. For example:

The professor taught his students advanced mathematics.

Here, 'the students' is the indirect object and 'advanced mathematics' is the direct object.

The chef instructed the new apprentice on how to handle sharp knives.

Here, 'the new apprentice' is the indirect object and 'on how to hand sharp knives' is the direct object.

'Educate' on the other hand, is a transitive verb that only needs an object which indicates the recipient of education and subject of education can be added to the sentence as an adjunct using a prepositional phrase.

The school's mission is to educate students and prepare them for future success.

The museum offers programs to educate visitors about art history and cultural heritage.

'about art history and cultural heritage' is an adjunct, if we removed it, the sentence would remain complete.

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