improper order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "improper order" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sequence or arrangement that is not correct or appropriate. Example: "The documents were submitted in improper order, making it difficult to review them efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Rosenstein has staunchly defended Mueller's work, telling Congress in December that the special counsel was handling the sensitive case "appropriately". He also vowed to resist an improper order to fire him.

Los Angeles Times

Publication errors were classified as those which claimed improper order of authorship, journal citation, or those which could not be found with the above techniques.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Will they say no to improper orders and resign rather than carry them out?

The Washington Post

According to the complaint, hedge funds that placed improper orders made $85 million in profits, while Security Trust made $5.8 million.

The New York Times

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala)., Trump's nominee for attorney general, said in 2015 that it is the obligation of a federal worker to stand up against improper orders.

The Washington Post

In releasing a 47-page report on elections in the city, Secretary of State Matt Blunt said most of the improper orders had been granted to people who had not registered by the Oct. 11 deadline.

The New York Times

Rosenstein declined to say but did testify that he hadn't received any improper orders from Trump and that he wouldn't fire Mueller at the president's request.

Vice

However, Rasch analysis showed improper ordering of the item, suggested a poor fit with the other items, presented a floor effect and showed high correlation with other remaining items in the difficulty domain (online supplementary table E5).

European Respiratory Journal

Using the cubic to tetragonal ferroelastic/ferroelectric transition as an example, we study the possible strain phase separation and spinodal phenomena, and calculate the strain-strain and strain-temperature phase diagrams for the first-order proper, first-order improper, and second-order improper ferroelastic transitions.

Acta Materialia

According to a draft of the bill, judges who considered the data collection improper could order a purge of it.

The Guardian

Rep. 54. 'It would be wholly unnecessary and improper, in order to prove complainant's cause of action, to go into any matters of defense which the defendants might possibly set up, and then attempt to reply to such defense, and thus, if possible, to show that a Federal question might or probably would arise in the course of the trial of the case.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "improper order", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the correct or expected order should be, making the impropriety evident.

Common error

Avoid using "improper order" without providing sufficient context about the expected or correct sequence. Without this context, the statement becomes vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "improper order" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition or a descriptor of a situation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes a sequence or arrangement that deviates from what is correct or expected.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "improper order" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something not in the correct or expected sequence. Ludwig confirms its usability in English writing. While relatively rare, it appears across various domains, including news, science, and academia. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the correct order. Alternatives such as "incorrect arrangement" or "inappropriate sequence" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Given the linguistic analysis, the phrase serves to objectively point out deviations from established or expected sequences, suitable for neutral or professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incorrect arrangement

Focuses on the arrangement being wrong, emphasizing the spatial aspect.

inappropriate sequence

Highlights the unsuitability of the order in a series of events or items.

wrong sequence

A more direct and simpler way of saying the sequence is not correct.

faulty arrangement

Suggests that the arrangement has defects or flaws.

irregular ordering

Implies a deviation from a standard or expected order.

disordered sequence

Emphasizes a lack of order and organization.

defective sequence

Highlights that the sequence is impaired or incomplete.

flawed layout

Focuses on the presence of imperfections in the arrangement.

unsuitable arrangement

Stresses the inappropriateness of the setup.

unsound sequence

Indicates that the order is not logical or well-reasoned.

FAQs

How can I use "improper order" in a sentence?

You can use "improper order" to describe situations where things are not in the correct or expected sequence. For example, "The files were submitted in "improper order", making it difficult to process them efficiently."

What are some alternatives to saying "improper order"?

Alternatives include "incorrect arrangement", "inappropriate sequence", or "wrong sequence". The choice depends on the specific context you want to convey. Consider using "incorrect arrangement" when referring to physical items and "inappropriate sequence" when describing steps in a process.

Is there a difference between "improper order" and "incorrect order"?

While similar, "improper order" suggests that the order is not only wrong but also potentially unsuitable or inappropriate for a specific purpose. "Incorrect order" simply indicates that the sequence is not right. "Improper" carries a slightly stronger connotation of unsuitability.

What does "improper order" mean in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "improper order" might refer to a court directive or legal process that does not adhere to established rules or procedures, rendering it invalid or subject to appeal.