by order of

USAGE SUMMARY

"by order of" is a correct and commonly used expression in written English.
It is usually used when someone is carrying out instructions given by someone else or a higher authority. For example, "The troops marched by order of the General."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

9 1 BY ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT, by W. E. B. Griffin.

The New York Times

By order of Maj.

The New York Times

Admission by order of enrollment.

Stanford University

"It's not by order of the state".

The New York Times

"It was by order of Captain Barrett," I said.

The New Yorker

Formed in 1915 by order of King George V.

The Guardian

An investigation may be initiated by order of the Department.

Cornell University

"By order of the honorable the Secretary of War.

Yale University

It was so included by order of the court.

Cornell University

By order of the #PeakyBlinders...that's a wrap!

Independent

In red paint, policemen have scrawled, "Closed by order of the Palestinian Authority".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by order of", ensure that the authority giving the order is clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by order of" when the authority is unclear or nonexistent. This can lead to confusion and undermine the credibility of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by order of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the source of authority or command behind an action or directive. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where actions are explicitly attributed to a specific authority.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by order of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is being performed under the command or authorization of a specific authority. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts. While it is a formal phrase, its overuse in informal settings can sound overly dramatic. Alternative phrases such as "under the direction of" or "on the authority of" can provide similar meaning. Using "by order of" correctly involves clearly identifying the source of the order to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by decree of

This alternative is more formal and implies a legal or official pronouncement.

as directed by

This option emphasizes obedience to instructions received from a superior.

on the authority of

This alternative emphasizes the legitimacy and backing of an action or statement by a recognized authority.

as instructed by

Similar to "as directed by", highlighting the following of specific instructions.

under the direction of

This phrase suggests that the action is being carried out according to the instructions and guidance of a superior.

on the command of

Highlights the directive comes from a person holding a position of authority.

at the behest of

This phrase implies that the action is done at someone's command or urgent request, often from a position of power.

under mandate from

This is more specific and indicates that an action is taken because it is officially required.

upon instruction from

This highlights that the action follows specific instructions received from a designated source.

pursuant to the instructions of

A more formal and legalistic alternative, indicating compliance with official directives.

FAQs

How do you use "by order of" in a sentence?

Use "by order of" to indicate that an action or directive is being carried out under the authority or command of someone. For example, "The gates were closed "by order of the king"".

What phrases are similar to "by order of"?

Synonymous phrases include "under the direction of", "on the authority of", and "at the behest of". These phrases similarly indicate that an action is performed because someone in authority has instructed it.

When is it appropriate to use "by order of"?

It is appropriate to use "by order of" when someone is acting upon the command or instruction of a higher authority. It adds a formal tone and emphasizes the legitimacy of the action.

Is "by order of" formal or informal?

"By order of" is generally considered a formal phrase. In casual conversation, it may sound overly dramatic. Alternatives like "as requested by" or "following instructions from" might be more appropriate in informal settings.