be commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be commanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed or ordered to do something, often in a formal or authoritative manner. Example: "The soldiers were expected to be commanded by their superior officers during the operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indeed, Iranians are on the threshold of turning the Koran's ethical injunction into a democratic commandment: nothing good can be commanded without a vote of the people.

The New York Times

They are to form the core of an army ultimately to be commanded by Iraqis.

The New York Times

Nor does one need to be commanded by Beijing officials to do it.

The Guardian - Tech

In Trump's lexicon, love is an expression of loyalty to be commanded from another.

The New Yorker

Each chamber is sealed with retractable doors that can be commanded to open and close at designated altitudes.

Journal of Microbiological Methods

The Court apparently believes this result to be commanded by our prior cases.

Cornell University

In this case, the Chandra line-of-sight will be commanded through a Lissajous pattern.

Harvard University

At that time – currently estimated to be in about 20 months – it will be commanded to dive into the atmosphere.

The Guardian

By contrast, commanded love is not spontaneous, and it needs to be commanded precisely because it is not preferential.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For instance, a pilot might be commanded to gather images of an enemy site located in unknown territory.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The robot has a pen to draw shapes and can be commanded from a computer via a wireless link that is transparent to the students.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to convey more authority, use "be commanded" in contexts where obedience is expected due to formal rank, legal obligation, or ethical duty.

Common error

Avoid using "be commanded" when the subject is actively choosing to follow a direction. The phrase implies a lack of agency on the part of the subject; use alternatives like "choose to obey" if agency exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be commanded" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. This indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of commanding, rather than performing it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in contexts involving instructions or orders from an authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be commanded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that indicates someone or something is ordered to perform an action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in formal contexts where obedience or obligation is emphasized. It is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. When using "be commanded", ensure it is clear who is issuing the command and avoid it in situations where the subject has agency. Alternatives such as ""be ordered"", ""be instructed"", or ""be directed"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be ordered

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a direct instruction from a superior.

be instructed

Focuses on conveying information or guidelines for a task.

be directed

Implies guidance or steering towards a specific action or goal.

be required

Highlights the necessity or obligation to perform an action.

be compelled

Suggests being forced or driven to act due to circumstances or authority.

be controlled

Indicates being governed or regulated by an external force or entity.

be governed

Suggests being ruled or managed according to specific rules or principles.

be dictated

Emphasizes the authoritative and inflexible nature of the instruction.

be authorized

Highlights the formal permission or endorsement to undertake an action.

be managed

Suggests a structured approach to oversee and guide actions.

FAQs

How can I use "be commanded" in a sentence?

Use "be commanded" to indicate that someone or something is ordered or directed to do something, like in the sentence "The robot will "be commanded" to end operations by ditching itself in the atmosphere of the planet."

What are some alternatives to "be commanded"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be ordered", "be instructed", or "be directed" to convey similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "will be command" instead of "will be commanded"?

No, "will be command" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "will "be commanded"", which uses the passive voice to indicate that someone or something will receive a command.

What is the difference between "be commanded" and "be requested"?

"Be commanded" implies an order that must be followed, while "be requested" suggests a polite asking or invitation, which doesn't carry the same level of authority or obligation.