by the command of

USAGE SUMMARY

"by the command of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when someone is giving an order or instruction on behalf of someone in a position of authority or power. Example: "By the command of the king, all citizens are required to attend the royal banquet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

All are subdued by the command of God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He made the remarks after a briefing by the command of the Strategic Force of the Korean People's Army, which is responsible for missile launches.

The New York Times

"A private," he wrote, is but "a machine that works by the command of a good, bad, or indifferent engineer and is presumed to know nothing".

The New York Times

Luck, when told that his teammates were struck by the command of the huddle he had from the beginning, said with a laugh: "Well, I managed to fool them.

The New York Times - Sports

In the 13th century St. Thomas Aquinas defined faith as an intellectual assent to divine truth by the command of the will inspired by grace and the authority of God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its action was dictated by the command of this Court that 'an honest and intelligent forecast of probable future vlaues, made upon a view of all the relevant circumstances, is essential.' State of Missouri ex rel.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At 03 32 (German time) on 20 April, Empire Endurance was hit amidships by a torpedo fired by, under the command of Helmut Rosenbaum.

Wikipedia

On March 20 a furious President Johnson responded by federalizing the command of elements of the Alabama National Guard and dispatching the U.S. Army.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A further five sailors were saved by under the command of Kapitänleutnant Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat and the weather observation ship.

Wikipedia

Cunningham was replaced by Commander George Cockburn in the command of Speedy, which remained in the Mediterranean.

Wikipedia

But Kant stresses that the head of state is bound by the commands of public reason.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by the command of" when you want to emphasize the authority behind an action or decision. This construction is particularly effective in formal writing or historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "by the command of" when the action is merely suggested or influenced, rather than directly ordered. Ensure the authority figure genuinely issued a command.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by the command of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the authority or order under which an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by the command of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action is performed under the authority or direct order of someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. This phrase is most commonly found in academic, news media, and encyclopedia contexts, lending a formal tone to writing. While alternatives like "under the orders of" exist, "by the command of" remains a precise and effective choice for emphasizing authority. Its proper use enhances clarity and formality, particularly in historical or legal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under the orders of

Replaces "command" with "orders", emphasizing the directive nature.

on the authority of

Shifts focus to the authorization behind the action.

at the direction of

Highlights the guiding influence rather than a strict command.

pursuant to the instructions of

Formal alternative emphasizing adherence to specific instructions.

as instructed by

More concise way of indicating instruction origin.

following the decree of

Suitable when a formal decree or edict is involved.

as per the mandate of

Emphasizes the official authorization or mandate.

under the auspices of

Implies protection or support, in addition to direction.

guided by the hand of

More figurative, suggesting a guiding influence.

with the blessing of

Indicates approval and support, not just a directive.

FAQs

How can I use "by the command of" in a sentence?

Use "by the command of" to indicate that an action is being performed because someone in authority has ordered it. For example: "The troops advanced "by the command of" their general."

What's a more modern alternative to "by the command of"?

While "by the command of" has a formal tone, you could use phrases like "under the orders of" or "on the authority of" for a similar but slightly less archaic feel. However, ""by the command of"" is appropriate when precision and formality are required.

When is it appropriate to use "by the command of"?

"By the command of" is best suited for historical narratives, legal documents, or formal pronouncements where emphasizing the source of authority is important.

Is "by order of" the same as "by the command of"?

Yes, "by order of" is very similar to "by the command of" and can often be used interchangeably. Both phrases indicate that an action is being carried out because someone in authority has instructed it.