obey commands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obey commands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is instructed to follow orders or directives, often in military, programming, or training scenarios. Example: "The robot is programmed to obey commands given by its operator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Officer Kerrick's lawyers said the shooting was justified because Mr. Ferrell did not obey commands to stop.

The New York Times

Since 2012, the state's training has emphasised that people can be persuaded to obey commands, not just forced to.

The Economist

As James is walking toward a bomb, an Iraqi drives into the scene in a taxi and won't obey commands to go back.

The New Yorker

Because then what he is going to do is give you a copy, or he is just going to obey commands.

The New York Times

But to lure animals in and teach them to take food from your hand or to obey commands, that's a slower process.

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, prisoners suffered even worse mistreatment in an attempt to force them to renounce their allegiance to the insurgency and to obey commands.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Botnets are armies of infected personal computers, or bots, which run software forcing them to regularly check in with and obey "command and control" servers operated by hackers.

Huffington Post

And that work needs to include walks during which the dog is focused on obeying commands to be physically and mentally engaged.

The New York Times

So far, the young men — some in their teens — who make up most of the militia fighters have obeyed commands from their leaders to stop fighting.

The New York Times

His name is Aibo, and the $2,500 Sony-made toy does tricks and obeys commands.

Forbes

His name is Aibo, and at $2,500 the Sony-made toy does tricks and obeys commands.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about hierarchical systems, such as military or computer programming, use "obey commands" to highlight the structured relationship between the commander and the subordinate.

Common error

Avoid using "obey commands" in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "listen to" or "follow instructions" in everyday scenarios to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obey commands" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of following instructions or orders. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. The phrase indicates adherence to a given directive.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obey commands" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of following instructions, particularly in structured or hierarchical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's register is generally neutral, and it appears most frequently in News & Media, and less commonly in Science and Wiki. While "obey commands" is appropriate in many situations, users should consider the context and opt for alternatives like "follow orders" or "comply with directives" in more informal settings. When writing, be aware of the potential for overuse and strive for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow orders

Emphasizes the act of adhering to a specific set of instructions.

carry out orders

Similar to 'follow orders' but emphasizes the completion of tasks.

comply with directives

Focuses on conforming to official or formal instructions.

adhere to instructions

Highlights sticking closely and faithfully to the given guidelines.

execute commands

Suggests a more active and purposeful carrying out of instructions.

fulfill requirements

Focuses on meeting the necessary conditions or obligations.

act on instructions

Implies taking action based on provided guidance.

submit to authority

Highlights the aspect of yielding to a superior power or control.

be compliant

Emphasizes a general state of willingness to conform.

toe the line

Suggests strict adherence to rules or expectations, often under pressure.

FAQs

How to use "obey commands" in a sentence?

Use "obey commands" to describe the act of following instructions, particularly in a structured or hierarchical context. For example, "The soldiers were trained to obey commands without hesitation."

What can I say instead of "obey commands"?

You can use alternatives like "follow orders", "comply with directives", or "adhere to instructions" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obey commands" or "follow commands"?

"Obey commands" is the more idiomatic and commonly used phrase. While "follow commands" is understandable, it is less frequently used in formal writing.

What's the difference between "obey commands" and "carry out orders"?

"Obey commands" generally refers to the act of adhering to instructions, while "carry out orders" emphasizes the execution or completion of those instructions. "Obey commands" focuses on compliance, while "carry out orders" focuses on action.