alphabetical order

USAGE SUMMARY

'alphabetical order' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when there is a need to arrange words, terms, or names in the order of the letters of the alphabet. For example, "The terms were listed in alphabetical order for easy reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alphabetical order?

The New York Times

Alphabetical order, in fact.

Independent

Listed in alphabetical order.

The New York Times - Food

They are presented in alphabetical order.

The New York Times - Food

"That was alphabetical order," Isabella Karle said.

The New York Times - Health

13 Words with letters in alphabetical order.

The Guardian

Let's consider them in alphabetical order.

The Guardian

"Put these National Basketball centers in alphabetical order," it asked.

The New York Times

In both sections, street names go in alphabetical order.

The New York Times

"You can't really put them in alphabetical order".

The New York Times

And to save arguments, they are in alphabetical order.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check the "alphabetical order" of long lists, especially those containing names or specialized terms, to prevent errors.

Common error

Avoid inconsistencies in alphabetizing lists; for example, ensure that all entries are alphabetized by the same element (e.g., last name vs first name for names).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alphabetical order" functions as a noun phrase describing a specific method of arrangement or organization. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies arranging items according to the sequence of letters in the alphabet.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alphabetical order" is a common noun phrase that indicates arrangement based on the sequence of letters in the alphabet. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and wikis, serving primarily to enhance clarity and accessibility. Alternatives such as "alphabetic sequence" offer similar meanings. When using "alphabetical order", ensure consistency and specify the criteria for alphabetization. The phrase is fundamental for organizing information, and its widespread use underscores its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alphabetic sequence

Changes from noun to adjective to describe sequence

alphabetical listing

Replaces "order" with a more specific noun, "listing"

alphabetic arrangement

Substitutes "order" with "arrangement", indicating a planned sequence

arranged alphabetically

Changes from a noun phrase to a verb phrase

alphabetical sorting

Replaces "order" with "sorting", implying an action of ordering

a-to-z order

Uses a more casual, abbreviated form

lexicographical order

Replaces "alphabetical" with a more technical term

in alphabetical sequence

Adds "in" to make it a prepositional phrase

sorted alphabetically

Passive voice indicating that the sorting has been done

classified alphabetically

More formal term for items that have been arranged.

FAQs

How do you use "alphabetical order" in a sentence?

You can use "alphabetical order" to describe how items are arranged, for example, "The books are arranged in /s/alphabetical+order by author's last name".

What's the difference between "alphabetical order" and "alphabetic sequence"?

While both refer to arrangement by the letters of the alphabet, "alphabetical order" is the more common and general term. "Alphabetic sequence" might emphasize the sequential nature of the arrangement. They are almost interchangeable but "alphabetical order" is more frequently used.

Which is correct: "alphabetical order" or "alphabetic order"?

"Alphabetical order" is more commonly used than "alphabetic order", although both are grammatically correct. "Alphabetical order" is prefered in most contexts.

What can I say instead of "alphabetical order"?

You can use alternatives like "alphabetic sequence", "alphabetical listing", or "alphabetic arrangement" depending on the context.