at the orders of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the orders of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is acting under the direction or command of another person or authority. Example: "The soldier acted at the orders of his commanding officer during the operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

In this, men are subjected to horrific, prolonged torture at the orders of a woman.

The Guardian - Film

Both mens' British bank accounts were frozen Friday night at the orders of Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown.

The New York Times

Xinhua, the state news agency, and other prominent news sites published the editorial online, apparently at the orders of propaganda officials.

The New York Times

The court is headed by a judge whose arrest at the orders of Mr Nasheed was the source of weeks of protests that ended with him resigning.

Independent

Yet when questioned, the girl testified that she had signed the documents recently — all at once — at the orders of Ms. Grant.

The New York Times

Thousands of children, women and men have been killed and maimed at the orders of men who have no experiences with these horrors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Magazine

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

The ban was introduced twice, and on both occasions halted at the order of federal judges.

The Guardian

The search materials were made public at the order of Judge Pauley.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at the orders of", ensure that the authority figure or entity giving the orders is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid substituting prepositions like 'under' or 'by' for 'at' without considering the nuance. While alternatives exist, "at the orders of" specifically denotes direct instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the orders of" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating that an action is performed because of a specific command or directive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at the orders of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that explains that an action is performed because of a specific command or directive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news, academic, and encyclopedic sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication settings. While alternatives such as "under the direction of" and "on the instructions of" exist, "at the orders of" specifically emphasizes direct instruction and attribution of responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the direction of

Emphasizes guidance and supervision, rather than strict command.

on the instructions of

Highlights the specific set of instructions received.

by command of

Implies a formal and authoritative order.

pursuant to the orders of

Indicates compliance with official directives.

acting on behalf of

Focuses on representation and delegated authority.

as directed by

Highlights the act of following explicit directions.

upon the instruction of

Similar to 'on the instructions of', but slightly more formal.

under orders from

Slightly less formal than "by command of".

at someone's behest

Implies a request or urging that carries the weight of a command.

on someone's authority

Highlights the legitimacy and power behind the action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "at the orders of"?

You can use alternatives like "under the direction of", "on the instructions of", or "by command of" depending on the specific context.

Is "at the orders of" formal or informal?

The phrase "at the orders of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the formal side. More informal alternatives exist for casual communication.

What is the difference between "at the orders of" and "under the command of"?

While both phrases imply acting under someone's authority, "at the orders of" emphasizes the direct instruction given, while "under the command of" suggests a broader hierarchical structure and ongoing authority.

Can I use "at the orders of" when referring to inanimate objects?

No, "at the orders of" is typically used when referring to actions performed by individuals or groups. It would not be appropriate to say, for instance, "The machine started at the orders of the program."