at their orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at their orders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is acting under the command or direction of others. Example: "The soldiers were ready to move at their orders, prepared for any mission that lay ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"After a while, though, they started calling in their orders at 11 a.m.," Mr. Prastine said.

The New York Times

They laughed and took photos of the staff at work while waiting for their orders.

Forbes

They called me over with a click of the finger, sneered at me, barked their orders, and did impressions of me when I turned my back.

The Guardian

"about the article was something how to do", strictly speaking has no changes at all, except their order.

WikiHow

And many would probably prefer that I didn't make any money at all, at least not on their order.

The New York Times

That's because she takes their orders at the VIP diner, open 24-7-365, at 175 Sip Avenue, near Journal Square in Jersey City.

The New York Times

"Who's buying the next round then?" asks Dave, looking directly at me. "Umm – me, I guess," I mumble, as everyone fires their orders at me.

Vice

Nottinghamshire field four internationals at the top of their order and they all cashed in at Lord's, compiling 368-2 in 45 overs to flatten Middlesex.

The Guardian - Sport

Customers place their orders at the counter.

The New York Times

Their orders at the Marne were straightforward: Hold the line.

The New York Times

Customers place their orders at a cutout in a plywood wall that separates the kitchen from the dining room.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at their orders", ensure the context clearly establishes who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "at their orders" when the individuals giving the orders lack the proper authority or jurisdiction, which can lead to miscommunication or legal issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at their orders" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb to indicate the condition or authority under which an action is performed. Given that Ludwig has no examples, this information is based on linguistic analysis and common usage patterns.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at their orders" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed under someone's command or direction. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not particularly common in everyday speech, it is suitable for formal contexts where specifying authority is important. Common alternatives include "under their command" or "as they directed". Despite its grammatical correctness, Ludwig has no examples of the phrase in its database, indicating that the phrase is very rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under their command

This alternative emphasizes direct control and authority.

under their direction

This highlights the aspect of being guided and managed by them.

as they directed

This phrase highlights the act of giving instructions and following them.

according to their instructions

This option focuses on adherence to specific guidelines or directives.

following their directives

This highlights the act of following official instructions.

on their authority

This alternative emphasizes the legitimacy and backing behind the instructions.

at their behest

This suggests a formal or urgent request that is being obeyed.

as per their guidance

This indicates that actions are being guided or supervised by them.

pursuant to their instructions

This is a formal, legalistic way of saying that actions are being done in accordance with their directions.

in compliance with their requests

This emphasizes fulfilling specific requests made by them.

FAQs

How can I use "at their orders" in a sentence?

You can use "at their orders" to indicate that someone is acting under the command or direction of others. For example, "The soldiers advanced "at their orders", prepared for any mission that lay ahead."

What's a more formal way to say "at their orders"?

A more formal alternative to "at their orders" is "pursuant to their instructions", which is often used in legal or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "at their orders" to emphasize direct control?

To emphasize direct control, you can use "under their command" as an alternative to "at their orders".

Is "at their orders" commonly used in everyday conversation?

"At their orders" is not very common in everyday conversation; alternatives like "as they asked" or "as they directed" might be more suitable in informal settings.