following orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "following orders" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing compliance with directives or commands, often in a military or authoritative context. Example: "He was just following orders when he made that decision, believing it was his duty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I'm following orders".

The New York Times - Sports

Hey, he was following orders!

The New York Times - Sports

As if following orders.

The New Yorker

We are just following orders".

The New York Times

I was just following orders.

The New York Times - Sports

Aargh!" I'm merely following orders.

The Guardian - Sport

They said they were only following orders.

The Economist

He explained he'd only been following orders.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They were just following orders, they say.

The New York Times

His lawyers insist that he was merely following orders.

The Guardian

One communist claims: "We were all just following orders.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following orders" when you want to emphasize a lack of personal agency or responsibility for an action, especially in hierarchical structures like the military or corporate settings. It can often carry a connotation of moral ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid relying on "following orders" as a blanket justification for unethical behavior. While it explains the motivation, it doesn't absolve responsibility. Provide additional context or justification when using this phrase to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following orders" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun or part of a noun phrase. It typically describes the act of compliance with instructions, commands, or directives, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. It is frequently used to provide context or justification for actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "following orders" is a grammatically sound and widely used gerund phrase, primarily functioning to explain or justify actions, often in contexts where authority or hierarchical structures are significant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It appears most frequently in news and media sources. While common, its use should be carefully considered, as it doesn't automatically absolve responsibility for unethical actions. Alternative phrases like "obeying commands" or "adhering to instructions" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obeying commands

Focuses on the act of obedience to specific directives.

adhering to instructions

Emphasizes the adherence to a set of guidelines or directions.

complying with directives

Highlights compliance with specific instructions or regulations.

executing instructions

Focuses on the action of carrying out specific directives.

acting under instruction

Stresses that the action is performed because of specific guidance.

under command

Suggests a state of being subject to someone's authority and directives.

at someone's direction

Emphasizes that actions are guided by someone's specific instructions.

under control

Implies that the entity is under control of something or someone.

toe the line

Idiomatic expression for conforming to rules or expectations.

taking direction

Highlights receiving guidance and acting accordingly.

FAQs

How to use "following orders" in a sentence?

You can use "following orders" to explain why someone performed an action, especially when the action is questionable. For example, "He claimed he was just "following orders" when he authorized the controversial decision."

What can I say instead of "following orders"?

You can use alternatives like "obeying commands", "adhering to instructions", or "complying with directives" depending on the specific context.

Is "following orders" an acceptable justification for questionable actions?

While "following orders" can explain the motivation behind an action, it is generally not considered a complete justification, especially in legal or ethical contexts. Personal responsibility and moral judgment are still expected.

What's the implication of using the phrase "following orders"?

Using "following orders" often implies a lack of personal discretion or moral consideration in carrying out a task. It suggests that the individual was acting under direct instruction and may not have agreed with the action personally.