on the orders of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the orders of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is carrying out the instructions of a higher authority or someone with greater power or influence. For example, "The soldiers were forced to evacuate the city on the orders of their commanding officer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet, according to one account, he was sacked on the orders of Mr Khamenei.

The Economist

"They did what they did on the orders of Serbia.

The Guardian

I run to the gym and burn calories, sometimes on the orders of a trainer, sometimes on the orders of my own fear.

The New York Times

The ship was seized by US Navy Seals on the orders of the Obama administration.

Independent

Dr Humayra Abedin was freed from her vows on the orders of a Bangladeshi court.

Independent

Prosecutors had contended that Mr. Bakhtiar was killed on the orders of the Tehran government.

The New York Times

Whether he was acting on the orders of others has not been raised.

The New York Times - Sports

The boy was killed on the orders of Dr. Zawahiri, he said.

The New York Times

"I'd imagine she's too busy bedding half of Unilever on the orders of the KGB".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're here on the orders of Gen. Alexander Haig," she remembers them saying.

The New York Times - Magazine

They said they had killed the women on the orders of superiors who were never prosecuted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the orders of" to clearly indicate that an action was carried out because someone in authority instructed it. This adds a layer of accountability and clarifies the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid using "on the orders of" when the person or entity giving the order is unclear or unknown. Ensure you can specifically identify who issued the command to maintain accuracy and avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the orders of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the reason or authority behind an action. It specifies that something was done because someone in a position of power commanded it. Ludwig provides numerous examples across different contexts where this phrase is used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the orders of" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that an action was performed because someone in authority commanded it. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It’s commonly found in news, wiki and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly identify the person or entity giving the orders to avoid misattribution. Alternatives like "at the behest of" and "under the command of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the behest of

This phrase emphasizes compliance with a request or command, often from someone in authority. It is shorter than "on the orders of".

under the command of

This phrase specifically relates to military or hierarchical structures, indicating direct instruction from a superior.

upon the instruction of

This alternative highlights that the action follows specific guidance or directions provided by someone.

by direction of

A more formal and concise way of saying something was done following instructions.

acting on instructions from

This phrase emphasizes the act of following instructions, indicating agency and compliance.

pursuant to the directive of

A formal and legalistic way of saying something was done in accordance with an official order or directive.

in compliance with the mandate of

Highlights adherence to a formal mandate or official instruction, suggesting a structured or regulatory context.

as directed by

A concise and direct way of saying someone performed an action based on another's guidance.

following the dictates of

Suggests obedience to a principle or authority, emphasizing adherence to specific commands or pronouncements.

under the direction of

Similar to "under the command of" but can apply in non-military settings, indicating guidance and supervision.

FAQs

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

Use "on the orders of" to specify that an action was performed because someone in authority commanded it. For example, "The documents were destroyed "on the orders of" the CEO".

What can I say instead of "on the orders of"?

You can use alternatives like "at the behest of", "under the command of", or "upon the instruction of" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "on the orders of" or "under the orders of"?

"On the orders of" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Under the orders of" is less idiomatic and less frequently used.

When is it appropriate to use "on the orders of"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that an action was taken because someone with authority instructed it, highlighting accountability and the chain of command.