by direction of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by direction of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action is being taken under the authority or instruction of someone else. Example: "The report was submitted by direction of the manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Following the remand, the plaintiff, pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, moved for summary judgment in its favor upon the pleadings and all of the proceedings which theretofore had been had in the case, or, in the alternative, for such further proceedings as this Court might direct, and defendants, by direction of the Court, filed proffers of proof.

Cornell University

Near-field ground motions are affected by direction of rupture propagation to site (forward directivity effect) and residual displacement due to tectonic deformation (fling-step effect).

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

1854 / by direction of Wm.

Yale University

"By direction of the Assistant Secretary of War".

Cornell University

(Published by direction of the Government of Assam). Pp. x + 381 + 17 plates.

Nature

Exile is a prolonged absence from one's country, either voluntary or by direction of the sovereign.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Deposition plane, defined by directions of rod and surface normal, is orientated at angles of (a) φ = 0° and (b) φ = 180°.

Nanoscale Research Letters

His artistic goal, Seurat once said, was to show "modern people, in their essential traits, move about as if on friezes, and place them on canvases organized by harmonies of color, by directions of the tones in harmony with the lines, and by the directions of the lines" (5 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

His goal, he once said, was to make "modern people, in their essential traits, move about as if on friezes, and place them on canvases organized by harmonies of color, by directions of the tones in harmony with the lines, and by the directions of the lines".

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Once again, Data Sets A and B have to be treated direction by direction because of the high variability of the reconstruction.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

H. gammarus is the type species of the genus Homarus, as determined by Direction 51 of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by direction of", ensure that the context clearly identifies who is giving the direction to avoid ambiguity. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "on the instruction of" or "pursuant to the instructions of".

Common error

Avoid using "by direction of" without specifying who provided the direction. This can create confusion and weaken the clarity of your statement. Always name the individual or entity giving the instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by direction of" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the authority or instruction behind an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples, like 'Defendants, by direction of the Court, filed proffers of proof', showcasing this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

31%

Science

31%

News & Media

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by direction of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed under the authority or instruction of someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in academic, scientific, and news contexts, lending it a neutral to formal register. While useful for attributing actions to specific authorities, ensure clarity by always specifying the source of the direction. Consider alternatives like "on the instruction of" or "at the behest of" for nuanced meanings or increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as instructed by

A more concise and direct way to indicate that someone followed given instructions.

on the instruction of

This phrase directly points to the act of instructing as the reason for the action.

under the orders of

This alternative emphasizes the hierarchical aspect of the instruction, highlighting that it comes from a superior.

at the behest of

This suggests a formal request or command, often implying a sense of urgency or importance.

pursuant to the instructions of

This is a formal and legalistic way of saying that something is done following specific guidelines.

with the authorization of

This highlights that the action is officially sanctioned and approved by a person of authority.

under the guidance of

This suggests that the action is being performed with advice and supervision from someone.

acting on the advice of

This highlights the advisory role of the person giving the direction, rather than a command.

following the lead of

This alternative emphasizes imitation and guidance, suggesting that the action is based on someone else's example.

in accordance with the wishes of

This emphasizes the respect and deference to someone's desires or preferences.

FAQs

How can I use "by direction of" in a sentence?

Use "by direction of" to indicate that an action is taken under someone else's authority or instructions. For example, "The project was initiated "by direction of" the CEO".

What are some alternatives to "by direction of"?

You can use alternatives like "on the instruction of", "at the behest of", or "under the orders of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "by direction of" and "under the direction of"?

While similar, "under the direction of" suggests ongoing guidance and supervision, while "by direction of" implies a specific instruction or command.

When is it appropriate to use "by direction of" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly state that an action was taken because someone in authority instructed it. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "pursuant to the instructions of" for legal or highly official contexts.