chief command

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief command" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the highest level of authority or control in a particular context, often in military or organizational settings. Example: "The general was given chief command of the operation, overseeing all strategic decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He served under General Don Carlos Buell and was offered but refused the chief command.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a year's visit to England he returned to the chief command in the field in July 1428.

Encyclopedia Britannica

General Gates appears to have been a tool of rather than a party to the plot, expecting that the chief command would devolve upon himself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was chiefly the fruit of a political bargain by which New England offered Virginia the chief command as its price for the adoption and support of the New England army.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He made a mistake in holding the chief command of the army throughout his last 10 years, because he was past initiating the reforms that were later sorely needed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1420 he was in chief command in Maine, and, when Henry V went home the next year, Salisbury remained in France as the chief lieutenant of Thomas, duke of Clarence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Do it," the commander in chief commanded.

The New York Times

At 44, he had already become a battalion chief, commanding some people who were a decade older than he.

The New York Times

Sparta honoured Themistocles with a great ovation, but Athens, led during the crisis by the Areopagus, or council of nobles, gave the chief commands in 479 to the recalled exiles, Aristides and Xanthippus, and Themistocles' postwar history was a sad one.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her credentials were almost unheard of in Mount Vernon: a 32-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, she had worked with William J. Bratton, who promoted her to become that city's first female two-star chief, commanding more than 2,000 officers in Queens.

The New York Times

But in an email to Newsweek, Kim Y. Royster, deputy chief commanding officer of the NYPD's Public Information Division, said: "We have not reviewed the report, however, Police Commissioner Bratton's 'Broken Windows Policing' philosophy is not 'zero tolerance' and it never was.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief command", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of authority being referenced. For clarity, specify the entity or area over which the command is held.

Common error

Avoid using "chief command" without clearly defining the specific area or entity over which the command is exercised. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion about responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief command" functions as a noun phrase that designates the highest position of authority or control within a specific context, often military or organizational. Ludwig examples show it used in historical and modern contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief command" denotes the highest level of authority, typically within a military or organizational hierarchy. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usefulness, though it's relatively uncommon. The phrase appears most frequently in encyclopedias and news media. When using "chief command", ensure the scope of authority is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "top command" or "supreme command" can provide similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

top command

Replaces "chief" with "top", implying the highest level of authority.

supreme command

Substitutes "chief" with "supreme", emphasizing ultimate authority.

high command

Replaces "chief" with "high", denoting a significant level of authority.

overall command

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the command role.

principal command

Emphasizes the primary or leading nature of the command.

head command

Indicates the command that is at the head of an organization.

primary authority

Shifts the focus to the power and control aspect of the command.

commanding authority

Highlights the act of commanding and the associated power.

central command

Implies a command structure that is centrally located and managed.

leading command

Indicates a command that takes the lead in operations.

FAQs

How to use "chief command" in a sentence?

Use "chief command" to indicate the highest level of authority or control, as in "The general was given "chief command" of the entire operation".

What can I say instead of "chief command"?

You can use alternatives like "top command", "supreme command", or "high command" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "chief command" or "chief in command"?

"Chief command" and "chief in command" can both be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Chief command" refers to the position of authority, while "chief in command" emphasizes the act of leading.

What's the difference between "chief command" and "command in chief"?

"Chief command" generally refers to the highest level of authority within a specific organization or operation. "Command in chief" is a specific title, often referring to the head of state's role as the ultimate commander of a nation's armed forces.