commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

'commanded' is a correct and common word used in written English.
It is an action verb that means to order or instruct someone to do something. Example sentence: The general commanded his troops to march forward.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Back in 2012, when Ukip commanded just 3% of public support, more people wanted to leave the EU than to stay in.

The Guardian - Opinion

The real Rameses II commanded the Egyptian forces.

The Guardian - Film

She commanded Paul Merton to lie on the floor during the first part of his interview because the light was better; "Ooh, it's nice to sit down," he said when she left us to it.

The Guardian - Arts

His party colleague Danny Kennedy said McGrady, who was 78, was "an honourable man who commanded respect in the wider community".

The Guardian

She commanded the stage, furiously playing her green guitar and showcasing her incredible voice on tracks like You Ain't Alone and Miss You.

The Guardian - Music

On Tuesday tens of thousands of protesters commanded bridges over the Danube in central Budapest in the biggest challenge to the prime minister since he returned to power in 2010.

The Guardian

But for the bomb she should have compounded the offence, dismissing Kinnock, the Labour leader whose reformist courage should have commanded respect, as a puppet of the hard left – the "enemies of freedom" who sought to overthrow democratic institutions.

The Guardian

He also scored, which sent waves of warmth and nostalgia around the venue he commanded for so many years.

The Guardian - Sport

Since last year's independence referendum, the SNP has commanded a 20 point lead over Labour in poll after poll.

The Guardian

Related: General election 2015: Britain heading for hung parliament The prime minister issued his warning after Lord O'Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, reminded Cameron that he signed up to a special Whitehall document to say that the next prime minister would be the leader who commanded the confidence of MPs regardless of whether his party had won the election.

The Guardian

Tom was desperate to be dutiful and presumably pleased when the reservist Yeomanry regiment he commanded was posted to Egypt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commanded", ensure that the subject has the authority to give orders or instructions. It implies a hierarchical structure or a recognized right to direct actions.

Common error

Avoid using "commanded" when the subject lacks the authority to give orders. Using a weaker verb like "requested" or "asked" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commanded" is as a transitive verb indicating the action of giving an authoritative order or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It describes the imposition of will from a position of power, as seen in examples where military officers or political leaders "commanded".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "commanded" functions as a transitive verb, primarily used to indicate the action of giving an authoritative order. It commonly appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "commanded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe situations where someone exercises control. When writing, be mindful of attributing authority correctly and use alternatives such as "ordered" or "instructed" when necessary. It has a neutral to formal register, making it appropriate for professional communication and news reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered

Focuses on the act of giving a direct instruction or order.

instructed

Emphasizes the act of providing detailed directions or guidelines.

directed

Suggests guiding or managing the course of action.

led

Highlights the aspect of guiding and influencing a group or organization.

governed

Implies controlling and regulating with authority.

presided over

Highlights the action of directing and having responsibility of an event

controlled

Emphasizes the act of maintaining power or influence over something.

ruled

Implies sovereign authority and the power to make decisions.

supervised

Stresses the act of overseeing and managing a process or team.

headed

Focuses on the action of being the leader of a group or project.

FAQs

How can I use "commanded" in a sentence?

Use "commanded" to describe someone giving an order or instruction with authority. For example, "The captain commanded the ship to turn starboard."

What are some alternatives to "commanded"?

You can use alternatives like "ordered", "instructed", or "directed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "commanded" or "asked"?

"Commanded" implies authority, while "asked" is a simple request. Choose "commanded" when the subject has the power to give orders, and "asked" when it's a polite request.

What's the difference between "commanded" and "led"?

"Commanded" suggests direct authority and orders, while "led" implies guidance and influence. A general "commanded" troops, while a charismatic figure "led" a movement.