Instructions (plural noun):
* Refers to a set of directions or guidelines on how to do something.
* Example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture were very clear."
Instruction (singular noun):
* Refers to a single direction or piece of information.
* Example: "The chef gave me an instruction on how to make the perfect sauce."
* Can also be used as a verb meaning to teach or give information.
* Example: "She was instructed to wait for the manager."
In summary:
* Instructions are multiple directions, while instruction is a single direction.
Here's a helpful analogy: Imagine you are building a house. The instructions would be the entire blueprint, containing many steps and details. However, one specific step in the blueprint, like "install the windows," would be a single instruction.