command by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "command by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to indicate an order or directive given by someone, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The project was completed under the command of the team leader."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The brigade's former commander, Brigadier General Raleigh Colston, had been relieved of his command by Lee, who was disappointed by his performance at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Wikipedia

"In the Navy, we command by negation.

The New Yorker

"Chain of Command," by Seymour M. Hersh (May 17 , 2004.

The New Yorker

After a long succession of delays and reverses, he was removed from command by Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

3 1 UNFIT FOR COMMAND, by John E. O'Neill and Jerome R. Corsi.

The New York Times - Books

12 8 12 UNFIT FOR COMMAND, by John E. O'Neill and Jerome R. Corsi.

The New York Times

Fox continues to command by far the largest news audience in cable television.

The New York Times

The programme, he said, was referred up the chain of command by Newsnight's acting editor.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Dutton) 17. (Ballantine) 18. ROBERT LUDLUM'S THE JANSON COMMAND, by Paul Garrison.

The New York Times

Single letters are underlined in menus, as in Windows programs; you can invoke a command by pressing one keyboard key.

The New York Times - Tech

When given a command by a man watching a football game, the robot would live up to its name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider more precise alternatives like "ordered by", "directed by", or "controlled by" for clarity. The phrase "command by" can be ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on "command by"; it often lacks the precision of alternatives. Vary your language to specify the nature of control or direction being exerted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "command by" functions as a prepositional phrase, often indicating agency or method. However, its usage is frequently grammatically dubious, as noted by Ludwig. It typically connects an action or state to the entity exerting control or issuing the command.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "command by" is frequently encountered, Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, suggesting it lacks clarity. Although widely used across News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, precision can often be improved by substituting it with alternatives like "ordered by", "directed by", or "controlled by", depending on the intended meaning. Therefore, writers should consider the context and choose more explicit phrasing for enhanced clarity and grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered by

Focuses on the act of giving an order, emphasizing authority and instruction.

directed by

Highlights the act of guidance and management in a particular course of action.

under the authority of

Stresses the legitimacy and backing of power behind the action.

at the behest of

Implies a formal or urgent request from a superior.

on the instructions of

Emphasizes following specific guidance rather than general control.

supervised by

Highlights oversight and management responsibilities.

controlled by

Indicates influence and regulation of actions.

managed by

Focuses on the administrative aspects of leadership.

led by

Emphasizes the aspect of guidance towards a specific goal or direction.

initiated by

Highlights the role of someone in starting or beginning an action.

FAQs

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

While "command by" is grammatically questionable, it often implies direction or control. Consider replacing it with more precise alternatives like "ordered by", "directed by", or "controlled by" for better clarity.

What can I say instead of "command by"?

Depending on the context, you can substitute "command by" with alternatives such as "instructed by", "authorized by", or "supervised by".

Which is correct, "command by" or "ordered by"?

"Ordered by" is generally preferred for its clarity and grammatical correctness, while "command by" can be ambiguous. "Ordered by" explicitly indicates the act of giving an order or instruction.

What's the difference between "command by" and "controlled by"?

"Command by" suggests the act of giving a command, while "controlled by" indicates influence and regulation. The latter is more about maintaining power or influence over something, whereas the former is the specific act of giving orders.