at the order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the order" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a request or command, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The documents were prepared at the order of the manager."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Wong put the food on the passenger seat and squinted at the order forms.

The New York Times

The French later destroyed the aircraft, apparently at the order of President Jacques Chirac.

The New York Times

In June he threatened to go on hunger strike in protest at the order.

The Guardian

But the military acts at the order of the commander in chief, not on its own.

The New York Times - Magazine

Harris had his CBE annulled at the order of the Queen after his conviction.

The Guardian

Harris subsequently had his CBE annulled at the order of the Queen following his conviction.

Independent

Artaxerxes was poisoned by his physician at the order of the eunuch Bagoas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the order of the Ashkenazi chief rabbi, Israel Meir Lau, a delegation of rabbis travelled to Peru.

The Guardian

Finally at the order of Philip le Bel of France the leaders were arrested and most of them executed.

The New Yorker

In the beginning, I made mostly commercial films, at the order of the production company or some financier.

The New York Times

"I have to have it by tomorrow," an agitated Mr. Lo barked at the order clerk, according to police reports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to specify that something was done following someone's instructions, avoid using "at the order". Instead, use more grammatically correct and clearer alternatives such as "on someone's order" or "by order of".

Common error

A common mistake is using the preposition "at" instead of "on" or "by" when indicating that an action is performed because of someone's command. Ensure you use the correct preposition to maintain grammatical accuracy; for example, prefer "on the order of" or "by order of" over "at the order".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the order" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically intended to indicate that an action or event occurs as a result of someone's instruction or command. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. While it appears in various contexts, it should be replaced with more appropriate alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at the order" is used to indicate that an action occurs because of someone's instruction. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect, suggesting alternatives such as "on the order of" or "by order of" are more appropriate. While frequently found in various sources, including news and encyclopedias, it's important to opt for correct alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. To avoid confusion, consider using "on someone's order" or "by order of" to clearly convey that an action was directed by a specific command. Always prioritize grammatical precision, especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on someone's orders

Replaces the preposition "at" with "on" and uses the possessive form to clarify the source of the command.

by command of

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the authority behind the instruction.

under the direction of

Highlights the guidance or supervision involved in following instructions.

upon instruction from

Indicates that the action was initiated by specific guidance.

as instructed by

Emphasizes adherence to provided guidelines or commands.

following the directive of

Highlights compliance with a formal instruction or order.

on the authority of

Emphasizes the legitimacy and backing of the instruction.

at the behest of

Uses a more literary and formal term indicating an urging or request.

as per the instructions of

A formal alternative, particularly used in professional contexts, to convey adherence to specific instructions.

pursuant to the command of

A very formal and legalistic alternative indicating action taken in accordance with a command.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something was done because someone instructed it?

The phrase "at the order" is grammatically incorrect. Correct alternatives include "on the order of" or "by order of". For instance, you could say, "The project was initiated on the order of the CEO".

What phrases can I use instead of "at the order"?

Instead of "at the order", you can use phrases like "on someone's orders", "by command of", or "under the direction of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "at the order of" grammatically correct?

No, "at the order of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing is typically "on the order of" or "by order of". Ludwig AI also recognizes this as incorrect.

When should I use "on the order of" versus "by order of"?

"On the order of" is used to indicate an estimate or approximation (e.g., "The cost is on the order of $1 million"). "By order of" indicates that something is done under someone's command (e.g., "The city was evacuated by order of the governor").