are under orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under orders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is required to follow specific instructions or commands given by a superior or authority. Example: "The soldiers are under orders to remain at their posts until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Principals are under orders not to speak to reporters without permission.

The New York Times

American Marines occupying the area are under orders to leave the farmers' fields alone.

The New York Times

China's state banks are under orders to tighten up horribly lax lending habits.

The Economist

We are under orders to locate and arrest Udayan Mitra, the soldier who seemed to be commanding the others said.

The New Yorker

Fuhrman and all other members of the L.A.P.D. are under orders not to answer press questions about the Simpson case.

The New Yorker

Breaking with Japanese early-to-bed culture, the 120 boutiques and 70 restaurants are under orders to stay open late.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We all were under orders," he said.

The New Yorker

He is under orders from his bosses.

The New York Times

They're under orders to read it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After that they were under orders not to harm him".

The New Yorker

(The Pentagon is under orders to reduce its carbon footprint).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "are under orders" in informal writing. Consider more conversational alternatives like "were told to" or "have to".

Common error

Avoid using "are under orders" without specifying who issued the orders, as this can lead to confusion. Always clarify the authority or source behind the directive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under orders" functions as a predicative expression, indicating a state of obligation or instruction. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing individuals or groups who are bound by directives, aligning with the Ludwig AI assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are under orders" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which indicates a state of obligation or instruction. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys that individuals or groups are required to act according to specific commands. While versatile, it's important to attribute the source of the orders clearly to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "are instructed to" or "are commanded to" can be used for variety. Ludwig’s examples reflect the phrase’s application across various scenarios where compliance with directives is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are commanded to

Substitutes "orders" with "commanded", emphasizing authority and direct command.

are instructed to

Replaces "orders" with "instructed", focusing on the guidance received.

are directed to

Uses "directed" instead of "orders", highlighting the act of being guided toward a task.

are required to

Emphasizes the necessity and obligation to follow instructions.

have been told to

Replaces "are under orders" with a more conversational and indirect phrasing.

are bound to

Suggests a formal obligation to fulfill a directive, altering the level of formality.

are compelled to

Highlights that the action is not optional, adding a sense of force.

are duty-bound to

Underscores a sense of duty and obligation.

must

A shorter, more direct way of expressing obligation, omitting the passive voice.

should

Indicates an obligation, but is generally weaker than "must" or "are under orders".

FAQs

How can I use "are under orders" in a sentence?

You can use "are under orders" to indicate that someone is required to follow specific instructions. For example, "The employees "are under orders" to complete the task by Friday".

What can I say instead of "are under orders"?

You can use alternatives like "are instructed to", "are commanded to", or "are directed to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are under orders" or "is under orders"?

"Are under orders" is used for plural subjects, while "is under orders" /s/is+under+orders is used for singular subjects. For example, "The soldiers are under orders" (plural) versus "The soldier is under orders" (singular).

What's the difference between "are under orders" and "are following orders"?

"Are under orders" indicates the existence of a directive, while "are following orders" implies that the directive is currently being carried out. One is a state, the other an action.