[Vocabulary] The teacher directed the student to answer.

[beachboy]

The teacher directed the student to answer.

The Free Dictionary - to direct = to give orders to, to command.

In the sentence above, is there any difference between to direct somebody to do something and to make somebody do something? I don't feel any difference.

 

[Rover_KE]

There's a big difference.

The teacher directed the student to answer means The teacher told the student to answer (which is more natural than using 'directed')

The teacher made the student answer means The teacher forced the student to answer.

 

[beachboy]

The definition in the dictionary confused me.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The definition in the dictionary confused me.

The dictionary is right. So is Rover.

Do you see the difference between command and force?

If you commanded me to do something, that does not mean I did it. If you forced me to do something, it does mean I did it.

 

[Tarheel]

I would need a reason to use directed rather than told.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I would need a reason to use directed rather than told.

Yes. Told is much better.