by orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by orders" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is done according to specific instructions or commands given by someone in authority. Example: "The shipment was delayed by orders from the management to hold all deliveries until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"And that's by orders of magnitude".

The New York Times

The decision to hire is driven by orders from customers.

The New York Times

Not by a little, but by orders of magnitude.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook has surpassed the company by orders of magnitude, but it's hardly Twitter's only foe.

The New Yorker

The results were helped by orders from corporate customers that had surging video and Internet traffic.

The New York Times - Tech

"We've always been outspent by orders of magnitude," said Matt Kibbe, the president of FreedomWorks.

The New York Times

The most common cause of problems is caused by orders not turning up at all.

Independent

The guards defended Boulogne for a while and were then withdrawn by orders from this country.

The Guardian

But the response to the Pixies reunion has been greater by orders of magnitude.

The New York Times - Arts

"We think the interest is going to grow by orders of magnitude now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The retailer also earns interest from stand-by orders during advance sales period.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by orders" to clearly indicate actions taken due to direct instructions from a recognized authority. This emphasizes the source of the command and the obligation to follow it.

Common error

Avoid using "by orders" when you actually mean "in order to". "By orders" indicates compliance with a directive, while "in order to" expresses purpose. Mixing these leads to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by orders" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the cause or reason for an action. Ludwig's examples show it denotes actions carried out because of a directive, be it legal, military, or managerial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by orders" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to convey that an action was taken due to a specific command or directive, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's mostly found in news and science contexts, indicating formal processes. While not extremely common, it serves to emphasize the source of authority and obligation behind an action. Related alternatives include "under command" or "as directed". When using the phrase, be sure to differentiate it from similar phrases such as "in order to", and remember its function is to emphasize compliance, not purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as directed

A concise way to convey that actions are being performed according to someone's direction.

on instruction

Emphasizes that the action is carried out according to specific instructions received.

under the direction of

Similar to "under command" but specifies the presence of ongoing direction.

under command

Focuses on the state of being directed by someone, highlighting the chain of command.

at the behest of

A slightly more literary way of saying something is done at someone's request or command.

mandated by

Highlights that the action is required or compulsory due to a mandate.

upon authority

Indicates that an action is sanctioned by an authoritative figure or body.

pursuant to directives

A more formal and legalistic way of saying something is done following official directives.

subject to direction

Emphasizes that actions are controlled by another's guidance.

following guidelines

Highlights adherence to a set of established rules or guidelines.

FAQs

How can I use "by orders" in a sentence?

Use "by orders" to indicate that an action was performed because someone in authority commanded it. For example, "The project was halted "by orders" from the CEO."

What's a simple alternative to "by orders"?

A simpler alternative is "as directed". For instance, instead of "The soldiers moved "by orders"", you could say "The soldiers moved as directed."

Is "by orders of" more correct than "by orders"?

Both are acceptable, but "by orders of" is more explicit and formal, specifying the originator of the orders. "By orders" is a shortened, acceptable form when the context makes the originator clear.

When should I use "on instruction" instead of "by orders"?

"On instruction" is suitable when highlighting adherence to a specific set of guidelines or instructions. "By orders", on the other hand, specifically suggests a command from an authority. Thus, use "by orders" when referring to a direct command and "on instruction" when referring to following a set of instructions.