on the order of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'on the order of' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate magnitude or size, and is typically used in scenarios where one is discussing a large number or quantity. For example, "The local store held an impressive inventory on the order of 1,000 items."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As flaws go, this one is on the order of a Midas touch, an over-blessing.

The New Yorker

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

I mean, you could imagine maybe one day writing something on the order of Trilling maybe.

The New Yorker

Something on the order of Chesterton's "St.

The New York Times - Books

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

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

The Guardian

In general, the complexity depends on the order of dependence.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

So something on the order of right about here.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, make sure the context is right for the mathematical tone of the phrase, since it implies the use of orders of magnitude.

Common error

Avoid using "on the order of" when you have exact figures available. This phrase is best suited for estimates and not precise measurements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the order of" serves as an approximative quantifier, indicating that a value is close to a certain power of ten or a specific magnitude. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, and real-world examples from Ludwig demonstrate its consistent use across various domains to denote estimation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the order of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating approximation and estimation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and very common. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it effectively communicates the magnitude of a quantity without requiring precise figures. When writing, it's best to reserve this phrase for situations where an estimate is sufficient and avoid it when exact numbers are available. Alternatives include "approximately" or "in the neighborhood of", depending on the desired level of formality and context. Overall, "on the order of" is a valuable tool for expressing quantities and magnitudes in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately

This is a direct synonym expressing near equivalence in quantity or value.

in the neighborhood of

This phrase denotes a value within a certain range around a given figure.

of the magnitude of

This refers to the size or extent of something, similar to "on the order of".

roughly

Indicates an estimate that is not exact but close to the actual value.

in the vicinity of

Suggests a value is near a specific point, without being precise.

something like

Used for making an approximate comparison or estimation.

in sequence

This alternative phrase indicates a value within a certain range around a given figure.

in the area of

Suggests a value is near a specific point, without being precise.

about

This is a direct synonym expressing near equivalence in quantity or value.

close to

Indicates an estimate that is not exact but close to the actual value.

FAQs

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

Use "on the order of" to give an approximate magnitude. For example, "The project will cost something "on the order of" $1 million."

What does "on the order of" mean?

It means approximately, roughly, or having a magnitude close to a specified value. It indicates a quantity is near a certain power of ten or a similar scale.

Is it appropriate to use "on the order of" in formal writing?

Yes, it's appropriate in formal and technical writing, particularly when discussing scientific or mathematical concepts where exact figures are less important than the scale. In other cases you may use: "approximately".

Which is more appropriate: "on the order of" or "about"?

"On the order of" is more suitable when discussing magnitudes or scales, while "about" is a more general term for approximation. For example, "The error was on the order of nanometers" is more precise than "The error was about nanometers".