order

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "order" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb, noun, or adjective. For example: I placed an order for a new laptop.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Greek voters are equally certain that it's unfair for them to suffer years of slim government budgets and high unemployment in order to repay foreign banks and richer northern neighbors, which have reaped outsized benefits from closer European integration.

The New York Times

"It's a tall order.

The New York Times - Sports

"In more congested areas or particularly busy times of the day, then vehicles on key roads might be given priority in order to keep the traffic flowing".

The Guardian - Tech

He said North Korea still needed time to develop additional equipment in order to make its submarine-launched missile system fully operational.

The Guardian

Annington has commenced court proceedings to obtain a possession order so that it can evict the squatters and take back possession of the property.

The Guardian

In order to get the most from the Guardian Masterclass, you should ensure you arrive promptly and attend each session in full.

The Guardian

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

We are currently in the process of interviewing potential board members, and our goal is to add an additional independent member this year in order to regain our 4-star rating by 2013.

The Guardian

To order a copy for £15.99, go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it.

The Economist

"The leadership of a university has encouraged an endeavor in which students drop out in order to do something that will enrich the faculty".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify the type of "order" being referred to (e.g., court order, purchase order, social order).

Common error

Avoid using "order" interchangeably when you want to talk about “arrangements” or “requests” when you should have used the proper and more precise synonyms.

Linguistic Context

Order functions primarily as a noun, denoting arrangement, command, or a request. It also functions as a verb, meaning to command or request something. Ludwig AI confirms the versatile usage through numerous examples, showing its adaptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "order" is a versatile term that functions as both a noun and a verb, denoting arrangement, command, or a request. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its widespread use in various contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, suggesting a neutral to formal register. To ensure clarity, it’s crucial to consider the context and specify the type of “order” being referred to, as misuse can lead to misunderstandings. Related phrases like "arrange", "command", and "request" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, while Ludwig provides a wealth of examples to illustrate its correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrange

Focuses on the act of putting things into a specific arrangement.

command

Emphasizes the act of giving an instruction or directive.

request

Highlights the act of asking for something politely.

directive

Stresses a formal instruction that must be followed.

decree

Implies an official order issued by an authority.

regulation

Refers to a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

prescription

Suggests a recommendation or instruction, often medical.

sequence

Refers to a particular order in which related events, movements, or things follow each other.

hierarchy

Implies a system where entities are ranked by status or authority.

classification

Highlights the systematic arrangement of items into groups.

FAQs

How to use "order" in a sentence?

You can use "order" as a noun, like "I placed an order online", or as a verb, such as "The judge ordered him to pay a fine".

What can I say instead of "in order to"?

You can use alternatives like "to", "so that", or "for the purpose of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "maintain order" or "maintain the order"?

Both phrases are correct, but "maintain order" is more general, referring to overall peace and stability. "Maintain the order" refers to a specific existing arrangement or command.

What's the difference between "order" and "command"?

"Order" can be a general request or arrangement, while "command" implies a more authoritative directive that must be obeyed. For instance, a customer places an "order" at a restaurant, but a general issues a "command" to troops.