it was commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was commanded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an order or directive that was given in the past. Example: "In the meeting, it was commanded that all reports be submitted by Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Just before the robot went to sleep, it was commanded to raise itself by 4cm and rotate its main housing by 35 degrees in order to ensure the largest of its solar panel catches the most light.

BBC

It was commanded by the famed aviator Richard Byrd, who was to conduct the first flight over the South Pole.

The New Yorker

He created a royal army that wore the king's uniform; it was commanded by his officers and was ultimately responsible to the sovereign.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That new regular army developed the techniques of battle and siege that were used to achieve most of the 14th-century Ottoman conquests, but, because it was commanded by members of the Turkish notable class, it became the major vehicle for their rise to predominance over the sultans, whose direct military supporters were limited to the vassal contingents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The launch this week of the space shuttle Endeavour received special attention because it was commanded by Mark Kelly, the astronaut husband of the wounded Arizona congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, who has recovered well enough from January's shooting to see him off.

The Economist

He said he was not familiar with the details of an idea being considered by the Bush administration to allow a multinational force in Iraq to operate under the sponsorship of the United Nations as long as it was commanded by an American.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The sound of it was infectious, but more precisely it was commanding.

The New York Times

"Linda, this Moe," Moe said carefully, as though it was commanding every ounce of his concentration.

Vice

It is commanded".

The New York Times

It is commanded by Gen. Walter Sharp, who is thus the current successor to Gen. Mark Clark, who signed the 1953 armistice.

The New York Times

It is commanded by Morgan Freeman, many of whose lines sound like desperate, half-joking pleas for understanding, directed at the audience.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was commanded" when you want to emphasize that an order or directive was officially given. It's particularly useful in formal contexts or when describing a hierarchical structure.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "it was commanded", as it can sometimes make your writing sound less direct and less engaging. Consider using the active voice if appropriate, such as "someone commanded it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was commanded" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an order or instruction was issued. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used in formal writing to emphasize the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

32%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was commanded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that an order or directive has been issued. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and wiki entries, lending itself well to formal writing. When using this phrase, remember that while grammatically "correct", passive voice should be used judiciously for clear and engaging communication. While alternatives like "it was ordered" and "it was directed" exist, the best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was ordered

Replaces "commanded" with a more direct and common synonym, "ordered".

it was directed

Substitutes "commanded" with "directed", implying guidance or a specific instruction.

it was instructed

Uses "instructed" instead of "commanded", suggesting a formal teaching or guidance context.

it was decreed

Replaces "commanded" with "decreed", indicating an official order or proclamation.

it was stipulated

Substitutes "commanded" with "stipulated", implying that it was part of an agreement or condition.

it was dictated

Replaces "commanded" with "dictated", suggesting an authoritative and forceful instruction.

it was requested

Substitutes "commanded" with "requested", implying a polite or formal appeal.

it was required

Uses "required" instead of "commanded", indicating a necessity or obligation.

the order was given

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the act of giving the order.

instructions were issued

Replaces the active voice with a passive construction focusing on the instructions themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "it was commanded" in a sentence?

Use "it was commanded" to indicate that something was officially ordered or directed. For example, "It was commanded that all troops retreat."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was commanded"?

You can use alternatives like "it was ordered", "it was directed", or "instructions were issued" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "it was commanded" and "it was requested"?

"It was commanded" implies authority and an official order, whereas "it was requested" suggests a polite or formal appeal without the same level of authority.

Is "it was commanded" formal or informal?

"It was commanded" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for official or serious contexts. More informal alternatives might include "they told us to" or "we were told to".