Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

The clock dictates man's movements.

Bvalltu and I, in company with the increasing band of our fellow explorers, visited many worlds of many strange kinds. In some we spent only a few weeks of the local time; in others we remained for centuries, or skimmed from point to point of history as our interest dictated. Like a swarm of locusts we would descend upon a new-found world, each of us singling out a suitable host. After a period of observation, long or short, we would leave, to alight again, perhaps, on the same world in another of its ages; or to distribute our company among many worlds, far apart in time and in space.

All natural languages are equally complex--but in different ways. The grammar of Malay is simple, but choices among many superficially equivalent words are dictated by the social status of speaker and hearer.

Sometimes my fingers type something other than what my brain dictates.

He dictated several letters to his secretary.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

I can't keep up with you. Could you dictate a bit slower?

Roman Catholics believe that the pope may veto decisions of an ecumenical council, even when the pope has personally summoned the council and has dictated its terms of reference.

My boss dictated a letter for his secretary to type.