give an order

USAGE SUMMARY

"give an order" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to tell someone to do something, usually in a formal setting. For example, "The captain gave the order to set sail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

When I give an order people obey it".

The New York Times

How can a civilian give an order to a policeman?

The Economist

"Did you give an order to destroy documents?" Mr. Greenwood asked.

The New York Times

A flashing scroll said Gbagbo's youth leader, Charles Blé Goudé, would give an order soon.

The Guardian

I will never give an order to use arms against peaceable people," he told reporters.

The Guardian

"You never know who might give an order to do something against you.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In this section, we first use Zorn's lemma to give an order-theoretic fixed point theorem, which extends the result of Nishimura and Ok [1] from Hilbert lattices to Banach lattices.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

The commander gives an order.

Independent

So we started giving an order to shut things down".

The New York Times

When given an order, he would often suck his teeth or cast a baleful gaze.

The New York Times

The president has given an order to the military; they need to obey it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give an order" when you want to clearly express the act of someone in authority directing another to perform a specific action, especially in formal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "give an order" when a simple request would suffice. The phrase implies authority and should not be used when suggesting or politely asking for something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give an order" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and is often used to direct someone to do something, especially in a formal setting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give an order" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of issuing a command or directive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used in formal settings to indicate someone in authority instructing another to perform a specific action. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the implication of authority, as it's less appropriate for suggestions or polite requests. Alternatives such as "issue a command" or "direct someone to do something" may be more suitable depending on the level of formality desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue a command

This alternative uses a more formal word, "command", which changes the level of formality.

make a decree

This alternative suggests a formal or authoritative pronouncement, often with legal or official implications, increasing the formality.

lay down the law

This alternative phrase is more informal and implies asserting authority forcefully.

direct someone to do something

This is a more descriptive and less direct way of conveying the idea of giving an order, decreasing the formality.

instruct someone

This implies a teaching or guiding aspect in addition to the directive, which changes the nature of the interaction.

tell someone what to do

This is a very basic and direct way of expressing the act of giving an order, making it less formal.

pass down an instruction

It refers to transferring instructions from higher authority to lower authority, changing the context.

stipulate a requirement

This alternative implies a formal or contractual setting where conditions are specified.

enjoin compliance

This conveys a formal directive or legal requirement that demands obedience, increasing the formality.

dictate terms

This phrase implies imposing conditions or demands, often in a negotiation or power dynamic, changing the dynamic to a more authoritative context.

FAQs

How can I use "give an order" in a sentence?

You can use "give an order" to describe someone in a position of authority instructing someone else to do something. For example, "The general "gave an order" to advance."

What can I say instead of "give an order"?

You can use alternatives like "issue a command", "direct someone to do something", or "instruct someone" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "give an order" or "gives an order"?

"Give an order" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They give an order") or in the infinitive form. "Gives an order" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He gives an order").

What's the difference between "give an order" and "make a suggestion"?

"Give an order" implies authority and a mandatory action, while "make a suggestion" is a polite proposal that may or may not be followed.