be ordered not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be ordered not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed or commanded to refrain from doing something. Example: "The employee was to be ordered not to disclose any confidential information to outsiders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The court ruled that Greece broke its international agreements in objecting to Macedonia's admission to NATO, but rejected a request from Macedonia that Greece be ordered not to repeat such conduct in the future.

The New York Times

Shelter staff members there will be ordered not to refer the homeless to buildings that have been the subject of any complaints, even if the complaints have not been fully investigated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He has been ordered not to post anything more online.

The New Yorker

McSorley was not fined, but he was ordered not to play against Brashear during that time.

The New York Times - Sports

What's more, American investigators have been ordered not to speak to reporters.

The New Yorker

He said guards had been ordered not to fire at the helicopter to avoid an explosion.

The New York Times

The prisoners and warders who brought his food were ordered not to speak to him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Saddam Salah al-Rawi, 29, said inmates were ordered not to reveal the abuse to Red Cross officials.

The Guardian

In all likelihood this is why they have been ordered not to communicate with us.

The Guardian

Some state-owned companies are being ordered not to lay off workers.

The New York Times

"It had been declared a secret," the captain said, "and they were ordered not to talk.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be ordered not to", ensure that the context clearly identifies who is giving the order and who is receiving it for maximum clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the 'by' phrase when it's important to know who issued the order. Always specify who gave the order to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "He was ordered not to speak", say "He was ordered not to speak by the judge."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be ordered not to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone receives an order to abstain from a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the structure is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be ordered not to" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a situation where someone has received a direct command to refrain from an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure that the context clearly defines who issued the order. Consider alternatives like "be instructed not to" or "be directed not to" depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be instructed not to

Focuses on the act of giving instructions, implying a slightly less forceful command.

be directed not to

Emphasizes the element of direction or guidance in the prohibition.

be prohibited from

Highlights the forbidding aspect, legally or formally.

be forbidden to

Implies a strong and often personal prohibition.

must not

Expresses a strong obligation not to do something.

are not allowed to

Indicates a lack of permission.

are required not to

Highlights the obligatory nature of the abstention.

are advised not to

Presents the prohibition as a recommendation.

refrain from

A more formal way of suggesting avoidance.

desist from

A highly formal term for ceasing an action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be ordered not to" to sound less formal?

You could use phrases like "told not to", "asked not to", or "advised not to" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be ordered not to" and "be prohibited from"?

"Be ordered not to" implies a direct command from an authority, while "be prohibited from" suggests a legal or formal restriction.

Is "be ordered to not" grammatically correct?

While understandable, it's generally considered more grammatically correct and clearer to say "be ordered not to". The split infinitive can sound awkward to some readers.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be ordered not to"?

This phrase is suitable when describing situations where someone has been given a direct command or instruction to refrain from a particular action, often by a person in authority, or governing body.