not in order

USAGE SUMMARY

"not in order" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something is out of place or sequence. For example: "I was flipping through the pages of the book and noticed that the chapters were not in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They're not in order.

The New Yorker

Are apologies not in order?

The New York Times

Again, they are not in order.

The New Yorker

His paperwork was not in order.

The New York Times

Papers not in order.

The Guardian

Frugality is not in order.

The Guardian

"Minimalism," she said, "is not in order".

The New York Times - Style

Are apologies not in order?" he says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's disheartening when people try to be something they aren't in-order not to be termed 'tourists'tourists

Huffington Post

Accordingly, his interest is primarily in orders qua ideal objects and not in orders qua acts.

SEP

My life wasn't in order.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not in order" to describe a list or series, clarify whether the lack of order is intentional or accidental to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid assuming a negative connotation when something is "not in order". Sometimes, a deliberate lack of order can be a stylistic choice or part of a specific design.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in order" functions primarily as a descriptor, indicating that something is out of its correct sequence or arrangement. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase modifies nouns to describe their state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not in order" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a lack of proper sequence or arrangement. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and formal business settings. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and serves to inform the audience that something is disorganized or out of its expected order. While alternatives like "out of sequence" or "disorganized" exist, "not in order" remains a widely accepted and easily understood phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of sequence

Emphasizes a disruption in the correct chronological or logical order.

disorganized

Highlights the lack of a systematic structure or arrangement.

in disarray

Suggests a state of confusion and disorder.

out of place

Indicates something is not in its correct or expected position.

unarranged

Focuses on the absence of any arrangement or organization.

jumbled

Implies a confused and disordered mixture.

scrambled

Suggests a chaotic and disordered arrangement.

mixed up

Highlights a confusion or lack of clear order.

in a mess

Indicates a state of untidiness or disorder.

unsorted

Emphasizes the lack of sorting or categorization.

FAQs

How can I use "not in order" in a sentence?

You can use "not in order" to describe something that is disorganized or out of sequence. For example, "The files were "not in order", making it difficult to find the document I needed."

What's a more formal way to say "not in order"?

Consider using phrases like "out of sequence" or "disorganized" for a more formal tone. These alternatives maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

Is it always negative to say something is "not in order"?

While "not in order" often implies a negative situation, such as disorganization, it can also simply state a fact without negative connotation, especially when the lack of order is intentional. It depends on the context.

What's the difference between "disorganized" and "not in order"?

"Disorganized" generally refers to a lack of structure or system, whereas "not in order" specifically indicates that items are out of their correct sequence or arrangement. The two terms can overlap, but "not in order" has a narrower focus on sequence.