direct
verb (used with object)
to manage or guide by advice, helpful information, instruction, etc..
had directed
-
past perfectof direct.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The mayor said she had directed the personnel department to “complete the report and release it without further delay.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026
Lawmakers said their review of unredacted files showed it was the same woman Epstein had directed to buy a Snow White costume weeks earlier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Solis said she had directed the Department of Public Health to deploy teams to canvass the neighborhood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
On Tuesday, NTA said that India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had directed the app to restrict access to Telegram in India till 22 June.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
After breakfast, Adèle and I withdrew to the library, which room, it appears, Mr. Rochester had directed should be used as the schoolroom.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
