in the order of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the order of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a sequence or succession of something, or to describe the arrangement of a list of things. For example: "The list of participants was read out in the order of their registration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.

The New York Times

It simply seems to be in the order of things.

The New York Times

A deal would be in the order of $40bn.

The Guardian - Business

The cardinals speak in the order of their requests.

The New York Times

The thought and the form are equal in the order of time, but in the order of genesis the thought is prior to the form.

The New Yorker

Ms. Pirro was the only official mentioned by name in the order of silence.

The New York Times

The horse's place did not change in the order of finish.

The New York Times - Sports

In the order of things, Thile is a third-generation mandolin player.

The New Yorker

They died, at tactfully spaced-out intervals, in the order of their births.

The New Yorker

The serving governor general would be the principal knight or dame in the Order of Australia.

The Guardian

He told Bible stories, beginning, in the order of things, with the Creation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of events or steps, use "in the order of" to clearly indicate the sequence in which they occurred. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in the order of" when providing exact figures or measurements. This phrase implies approximation, so it is not appropriate for precise data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the order of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to specify sequence, arrangement, or approximate quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correctly used across various contexts to denote a particular ordering or a general magnitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the order of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote sequence, arrangement, or approximate quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. With a neutral register, it is suitable for news, general writing, and professional settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science. To ensure clarity, use it to indicate sequence, avoid it with precise data, and consider alternatives like "sequentially" or "approximately" based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in sequence

Highlights the arrangement of items following a particular pattern or progression.

in succession

Emphasizes the act of one thing following directly after another, often implying a chronological order.

sequentially

Expresses the idea of things following one after another, focusing on the arrangement by sequence.

arranged by

Focuses on the act of organizing or positioning items according to a specific criterion.

ranked by

Indicates the arrangement of items according to a hierarchy or scale.

following the pattern of

Highlights the adherence to a particular structure or arrangement.

in terms of

Emphasizes the aspect or standard based on which the sequence or estimation is considered.

about

Indicates an approximation or nearness in quantity or value.

approximately

Conveys the meaning of estimation, similar to using "in the order of" for approximate quantities.

in the vicinity of

Suggests a range or approximate amount, similar to estimating with "in the order of".

FAQs

How can I use "in the order of" in a sentence?

You can use "in the order of" to describe a sequence or approximate quantity. For example, "The tasks were completed "in the order of" priority" or "The cost will be "in the order of" $1000".

What phrases are similar to "in the order of"?

Similar phrases include "sequentially", "in sequence", or "approximately", depending on whether you're referring to a sequence or an approximate value.

Is it more formal to say "in the order of" or "approximately"?

"In the order of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while "approximately" is generally perceived as slightly more formal, especially when discussing quantities.

When is it inappropriate to use "in the order of"?

Avoid using "in the order of" when precision is required. For example, if you know the exact value, it's better to state the exact number rather than using ""in the order of"" to imply an estimate.