an official order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an official order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a formal, written directive from a government or other authority. Example: The mayor issued an official order mandating the closure of all bars and restaurants.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was given an official order to evacuate at the end of May.

The New Yorker

"Every decision he will make will come in the form of an official order".

The New York Times

"This is an official Order of Service for Margaret Thatcher's funeral at St Paul's Cathedral," mensaint writes.

Independent

Once known as one of Japan's most beautiful villages, it was given an official order to evacuate.

The New Yorker

Then I arranged for a printer of sheet music to actually print it, but they needed an official order.

The Guardian

The project had reportedly been built in defiance of an official order, and was designed to contain as many as 12,000 niches.Still, other options are available.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The man, who like the others interviewed spoke on condition of anonymity, said that after he told prosecutors he was not gay, an official ordered doctors to conduct an anal exam.

The New York Times

In the case of the Herero, an official, written order – the extermination order – was issued by the German commander, explicitly condemning the entire people to annihilation.

The Guardian - Opinion

A National Labor Relations Board official ordered a new unionization election yesterday at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, N.Y., after concluding that the hospital's management had improperly coerced workers to vote against unionizing.

The New York Times

Sometime in 2003, however, an F.B.I. official ordered the file closed because "investigating detainee allegations of abuse was not the F.B.I.'s mission," the report said.

The New York Times

Between the vote and the official order, a lawsuit was filed by 22 state attorney generals, seeking to block the net neutrality repeal.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an official order", ensure that the context clearly indicates the source and scope of the order to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who issued the order and what it pertains to.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "an official order" has universal authority. Always verify and specify the jurisdiction and limitations of the order to prevent misapplication or overreach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an official order" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it refers to a formal, written directive from an authority. Examples include "it was given an official order to evacuate" and "Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta signed an official order."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an official order" is a common noun phrase that denotes a formal, written directive from an authority. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, communicating the existence of a formal command. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the order's source and scope is crucial. Alternative phrases include "a formal directive" and "a legal mandate". Errors often arise from misinterpreting the order's limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formal directive

Replaces 'official order' with synonyms emphasizing formality and direction.

a legal mandate

Substitutes 'official order' with terms highlighting the legal binding nature of the command.

an authorized command

Replaces 'official order' to emphasize the authorization behind the command.

a sanctioned decree

Uses 'sanctioned' and 'decree' to underscore the formal approval and authoritative nature.

a prescribed regulation

Changes 'official order' to highlight the regulatory and prescribed aspect of the instruction.

a governmental edict

Replaces 'official order' with terms specifying the governmental source and formal proclamation.

a certified instruction

Substitutes 'official order' with 'certified instruction' to denote its verified and authoritative nature.

a ratified stipulation

Replaces 'official order' highlighting its formal approval and specified conditions.

an endorsed requirement

Uses 'endorsed requirement' to emphasize the approval and necessity of the order.

a validated provision

Substitutes 'official order' highlighting its verified and legally standing nature.

FAQs

How can I use "an official order" in a sentence?

You can use "an official order" to describe a formal command or directive. For example, "The company received "an official order" from the government to cease operations immediately."

What phrases can I use instead of "an official order"?

Alternatives to "an official order" include "a formal directive", "a legal mandate", or "an authorized command" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "official order" or "unofficial order"?

"Official order" should be used when referring to a formal directive issued by an authority. "Unofficial order" can be used to describe an instruction that lacks formal authorization, but it should be used cautiously as it may imply impropriety.

What is the difference between "an official order" and "an official request"?

"An official order" implies a command that must be obeyed, while "an official request" is a formal solicitation that may or may not be fulfilled. The key difference lies in the level of obligation.