a kind of command

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a kind of command" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that functions similarly to a command but may not be a direct or formal command. Example: "The software provided a kind of command that allowed users to execute tasks more efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The sight from his lookout of what could never have happened is a kind of command.

The New Yorker

Federal officials are using Kindred Hospital as a kind of command center to evaluate the city's public health needs.

The New York Times

The second was an extension and revision of Hobbes's conception of sovereignty and the idea of law as a kind of command.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other words, such beings have the capacity to recognize law as a kind of command addressed to them, to understand that fact as a reason to act (or at least to deliberate) in certain ways, and then actually to act on the basis of that recognition and deliberation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the Greek histories and literature of the 6th and 5th centuries bce, however, one finds the first articulation of ideas about law that have had enduring influence in the West: that law is a kind of command or prohibition with regard to what its subjects ought to do and that law is often accompanied by at least the threat of punishment or coercion by the state.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We are prone to think of this as an event — causal relation, in which God issues a kind of command, and the command in turn produces the mandated effect.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Tidal gives Cisco the software to monitor and coordinate what IT resources applications are using, a kind of command-and-control for virtualized computing.

Forbes

At no time was I in any kind of command".

Vice

Leadership as a kind of military command, the peak of a hierarchy, belongs to a pre-tech age.

The Guardian - Opinion

The traditional solution, Dr. Korniss said, has been to impose a kind of central command on the system.

The New York Times - Tech

Some of the gallery's electrical functions were plugged into the bioreactor, which became a kind of living command center for the dramaturgy of the exhibition: many of its atmospheric elements, from the shifting temperature and flickering lights to the uncomfortably visceral soundtrack, were in fact being controlled by the yeast's circadian cycles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a kind of command" when you want to describe something that functions as a command but isn't necessarily a direct order. It softens the directness while still conveying authority or control.

Common error

Avoid using "a kind of command" excessively in formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise terms like "directive", "instruction", or "regulation" to maintain a professional tone. Overuse can make your writing sound vague or less authoritative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a kind of command" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is used to describe something that acts as a command without being a strict order.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a kind of command" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something that acts as a command without being a strict order. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts. Ludwig AI validates this, showing that it describes instructions, systems, or even a tone of voice. While versatile, avoid overusing it in very formal writing, where more precise terms might be more appropriate. Remember to use this phrase when you want to soften the directness of a command while still conveying control or influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a form of instruction

Focuses on the instructional aspect, rather than the imperative.

a species of directive

Highlights the directive nature, using a more formal term.

a manner of control

Emphasizes the control aspect inherent in a command.

a system of leadership

Shifts the focus to the leadership aspect implied by command.

an element of governance

Highlights how command relates to governance and authority.

a means of direction

Focuses on the action of directing, a softer approach than command.

a mode of regulation

Presents the idea as a regulation method, more procedural than command.

a measure of authority

Presents the command as a means of expressing and enacting power.

a method of guidance

Subtly implies leadership and supervision, presenting a kinder approach than a command.

a style of management

Implies a less forceful and more strategic means of control, emphasizing management.

FAQs

How can I use "a kind of command" in a sentence?

You can use "a kind of command" to describe something that functions similarly to a direct order or instruction. For example, "The software uses haptic feedback as "a kind of command" to inform the user of their actions".

What phrases are similar to "a kind of command"?

Alternatives include "a form of instruction", "a species of directive", or "a manner of control" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a kind of command" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a kind of command" may sound less formal. In formal contexts, consider using more precise terms like "directive" or "regulation".

What does "a kind of command" imply?

The phrase suggests something exerts influence or control, but it isn't necessarily a direct or forceful order. It often implies a softer or more indirect method of directing actions.