backward in order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backward in order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence or arrangement that is reversed or organized in the opposite direction. Example: "The books on the shelf were arranged backward in order, with the last title placed at the front."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Corporate hierarchies are unlike military ones, and sometimes people have to move backward in order to move forward.

The Guardian - Money

Some even had bells pointing backward in order to send the sound toward marching soldiers in a parade.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jerwood Space, SE1, Wed to 13 Dec OB Crab Walk is a translation of the German phrase krebsgang, coined by novelist Günter Grass to express the need to look backward in order to move forward.

The Guardian - Arts

For business negotiators, BP's end of the deal demonstrates that sometimes it is necessary to take one step backward in order to take two steps forward: to forge promising new partnerships, you may need to let go of older ones that are preventing you from meeting your goals.

Harvard University

You almost have to read it backward in order to read it forward, and I don't have the interest to make that journey, or to get into "Light in August," which my wife, Susan Rieger, tells me goes easily and well once one overcomes the initial strangeness.

The New Yorker

It has as its goal keeping the Arabs and Muslims backward in order to exploit their oil riches and prevent them from becoming as strong as they used to be in the Middle Ages — because that is dangerous for Israel and Western interests.' " Today that meta-narrative is embraced across the Arab-Muslim political spectrum, from the secular left to the Islamic right.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

To use forward dynamic simulations of forward and backward pedaling in order to determine whether backward pedaling offers theoretical advantages over forward pedaling to rehabilitate common knee disorders.

Clinical Biomechanics

As in the original game, subjects need to apply backward analysis in order to solve the games.

European Economic Review

It was the Nets' first step in a season in which they may have to move backward sometimes in order to push forward.

The New York Times - Sports

In blowback actions, the bolt had to be quite heavy, or it had to be subjected to various devices that retarded its backward motion, in order to keep the mechanism from operating faster than was desired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Binary logistic regression analysis was also performed, applying stepwise selection with backward elimination in order to identify independent risk factors and control confounding effects (variables mutually adjusted).

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "backward in order", ensure the context clearly indicates why moving or considering things in reverse is necessary or beneficial. For example: "We reviewed the project milestones backward in order to identify the root cause of the delays".

Common error

Avoid using "backward in order" when a simple chronological or reverse chronological arrangement is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted when simpler terms like "reverse order" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backward in order" functions as an adverbial phrase or a purpose clause, indicating the manner or purpose of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s a correct and usable phrase. The examples show its function is to modify how something is done, implying a specific direction or approach.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "backward in order" serves to specify the purpose or manner of an action involving a reversed sequence or process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, though its frequency is relatively rare. Usage spans various contexts, including science, news, academia, encyclopedias, and business. When using the phrase, ensure it clearly indicates why the reversal is necessary, avoiding overuse in situations where simpler terms like "reverse order" would suffice. Alternatives include phrases such as "in reverse sequence" or "in inverted order". Overall, "backward in order" adds specificity and intent to the concept of reversal, particularly in analytical or methodical contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in reverse sequence

Changes the structure to emphasize the reversed sequence itself.

in inverted order

Replaces "backward" with "inverted", highlighting the reversal.

in the opposite sequence

Substitutes "backward" with "opposite" and "order" with "sequence" for a slightly more formal tone.

in a reversed fashion

Emphasizes the manner of being reversed rather than the order itself.

with the sequence reversed

Shifts the focus to the reversal of the sequence as the main action.

in retrogressive sequence

Uses "retrogressive" for a more technical or formal nuance of moving backward.

in a regressive fashion

Replaces "backward" with "regressive" for a similar, yet slightly different, connotation.

with the steps in reverse

Focuses on the individual steps being reversed.

in back-to-front order

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate reversed arrangement.

in the reverse direction

Focuses on the direction of the order rather than the order itself.

FAQs

How can I use "backward in order" in a sentence?

You can use "backward in order" to describe a process or arrangement where steps or elements are considered or executed in reverse sequence. For example, "They analyzed the events "backward in order" to understand the initial trigger".

What is a good alternative to "backward in order"?

Good alternatives to "backward in order" include "in reverse order", "in inverted order", or "in the opposite sequence". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it always necessary to include "in order" after "backward"?

No, it is not always necessary. Using just "backward" can be sufficient, especially when describing a direction or movement. The phrase "backward in order" typically emphasizes a deliberate or methodical approach to reversing a sequence or process.

What's the difference between "backward in order" and "reverse chronological order"?

"Reverse chronological order" specifically refers to arranging events or items by time, from most recent to least recent. "Backward in order" is a more general term that applies to any sequence, not just time-based ones. For example, reassembling something "backward in order" from how it was disassembled, to understand the process.