he commanded that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he commanded that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a clause in which a command or directive is stated. For example: He commanded that the troops advance on the enemy position.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ask Maryland Democrat Elijah Cummings, whose words so incensed Darryl Issa that he commanded that Cummings' microphone be turned off.

Huffington Post

Later, when he commanded that she be properly buried as a king's daughter, it was discovered that dogs had eaten most of her body.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Worried about labor shortages, he commanded that the Selective Service System draft any man under 38 who quit a job in a war plant.

The New York Times

It is a tribute to the universal respect he commanded that, even though many delegations were unenthusiastic about his country, and he himself was not the most emollient of people, he was elected to the elite drafting committee of UNCLOS.

The Guardian

Hanson directed operations from his head office overlooking Hyde Park Corner in London, paying more attention to the state of his employees' desks - he commanded that they be cleared every evening - their hair (he engaged a trichologist) and their cholesterol levels than to the state of his factories.

The Guardian

Hitler's response was to declare the Ruhr a fortress, from which he commanded that there was to be no surrender or attempt to break out, in an order similar to that which he had issued at Stalingrad.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"He was strict and commanded that things be done his way".

The New York Times

Then, just when the prince's patience is exhausted with gimmickry and patent formulas, he commands that the search be halted.

Huffington Post

In Afghanistan, with so few strategic gains since we first went in ten years ago, it is time for the president to tell the military he commands that we have spent enough blood and treasure.

Huffington Post

I thought, if he could command that level of attention, maybe we were on to something".

The New York Times

"He's got to command that power fastball".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he commanded that" when you want to emphasize the authority or power of the person giving the order. It is often used in formal or historical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he commanded that" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in such settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he told them to" or "he asked that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he commanded that" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a subordinate clause expressing a command or order. It is used to report a direct instruction given by someone in authority, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he commanded that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express an order or directive from someone in authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for formal or historical contexts and less so for casual conversation. Its function is to convey authority, and it appears most frequently in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While not extremely common, it serves a specific purpose in emphasizing the power dynamic inherent in a command. Related phrases include "he ordered that" and "he directed that", offering similar meanings with slight variations in connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he ordered that

Replaces "commanded" with a more common synonym, "ordered", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

he demanded that

Replaces "commanded" with "demanded", emphasizing the forceful nature of the order.

he directed that

Substitutes "commanded" with "directed", implying a sense of guidance or instruction along with the order.

he instructed that

Substitutes "commanded" with "instructed", focusing on the informative aspect of the order.

he decreed that

Replaces "commanded" with "decreed", suggesting a more formal or authoritative order.

he gave the order that

Rephrases the sentence to use "gave the order", adding a slight emphasis to the act of ordering.

he stipulated that

Uses "stipulated" instead of "commanded", indicating a specific requirement as part of an agreement or condition.

he made it a rule that

Changes the structure to indicate establishing a rule or regulation.

he laid down that

Employs the idiom "laid down" to convey the act of establishing a firm command or rule.

it was his command that

Inverts the sentence structure for emphasis, highlighting the origin of the command.

FAQs

How can I use "he commanded that" in a sentence?

Use "he commanded that" to introduce a directive or order given by someone in authority. For example, "The general commanded that the troops advance."

What are some alternatives to "he commanded that"?

You can use alternatives like "he ordered that", "he directed that", or "he instructed that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "he commanded that"?

It is appropriate in formal or historical contexts where you want to emphasize the authority of the person giving the order. It is less suitable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "he commanded that" and "he asked that"?

"He commanded that" implies authority and a direct order, while "he asked that" suggests a request. The former is stronger and more formal.