on the order

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the formal arrangement or instructions to do something, especially as given by someone in authority. For example: "The troops began their assault on the order of their commanding officer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Deciding on the order of installing one device by one.

WikiHow

I mean, it's on the order of one in a million of acquiring West Nile infection.

The New York Times - Magazine

Something on the order of Chesterton's "St.

The New York Times - Books

Apple declined to comment on the order.

The Guardian - Tech

I'm vague on the order of operations.

The New Yorker

Realist "filler" — on the order of "There was a silence.

The New Yorker

The News's response was on the order of "copycat".

The New York Times

The first question on the order paper is about lobbyists.

The Guardian

A hearing on the order will be held tomorrow.

The New York Times

What impact would Brexit have on the order book?

The Guardian - Opinion

"On the order of a thousand," Alexander says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the order" when you want to convey an approximate quantity or magnitude, rather than an exact figure. For example, "The project will cost on the order of $1 million" suggests an estimate.

Common error

Avoid using "on the order" when you have precise figures available. It's best suited for situations where you're estimating or giving a general sense of scale, not when stating exact values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the order" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct and widely used. It is used to indicate approximation or magnitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the order" is a versatile phrase used to indicate approximation or magnitude. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. It serves to provide an estimated value or general sense of scale, rather than a precise figure. While applicable in both formal and informal situations, it's important to avoid using it when precise values are known. Alternatives such as "approximately" or "in the vicinity of" can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "on the order" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the scale of

This alternative is similar but focuses on the magnitude or relative size of something.

approximately

This single word provides a shorter, more direct way to indicate an estimated quantity.

in the vicinity of

This phrase indicates a range or nearness to a certain value, emphasizing proximity rather than precise quantity.

roughly

This single word offers a simple and concise way to convey approximation or estimation.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of", this phrase is more informal and suggests a rough estimate.

as per the command

Similar to "pursuant to directive", it specifies compliance with a command, however, this one is less bureaucratic.

in accordance with instructions

This is a formal alternative that highlights following specific directives or commands.

following protocol

This phrase indicates adherence to a set of established rules or procedures.

in round numbers

This is used to express an approximate number, often rounded to the nearest convenient value.

pursuant to directive

This phrase emphasizes acting in compliance with an official command, often in legal or bureaucratic contexts.

FAQs

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

Use "on the order" to indicate an approximate amount or magnitude. For example, "The damages were "on the order of" $10,000", meaning the amount was approximately $10,000.

What's a more formal way to say "on the order of"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "in the vicinity of" or "approximately". For example, "The cost is "in the vicinity of" $1 million".

When is it appropriate to use "on the order"?

It's appropriate to use "on the order" when giving an estimation or approximation, particularly when the exact value is not known or not critical. For example, "The response time is "on the order of" milliseconds".

What are some common mistakes when using "on the order of"?

A common mistake is using "on the order of" when you have the precise value. This phrase is intended for estimations. Saying "The exact cost is "on the order of" $100" is incorrect if you know the cost is precisely $100.