order him to

USAGE SUMMARY

"order him to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "order him to" when you want to give someone a command or instruction. For example, "The supervisor ordered him to leave the premises immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just order him to go to Moscow?

The Washington Post

Should it also order him to give up his guns?

The New York Times

Doctors order him to return to Paris and start behaving like a normal person.

The New Yorker

He works so hard that I often have to order him to take a day off.

The New Yorker

Spying Mitch in the window, they order him to surrender his weapon.

The New York Times

He told Wallace it was his "sad duty" to order him to stand aside.

The New York Times

Some of his statements last year prompted it to order him to attend anger-management classes.

The New York Times

The court cannot order him to make something available that he doesn't have.

The Guardian

She would order him to open his mouth and spit out the button.

The New Yorker

The judge could order him to be jailed for anything from five years to life.

The Guardian

The commission asked a federal judge to order him to appear before commission investigators.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "order him to", ensure the context clearly establishes the authority or power dynamic that allows one person to give orders to another.

Common error

Avoid using "order him to" in situations where there is no clear hierarchical relationship or legitimate basis for one person to give orders to another. Using it inappropriately can sound presumptuous or rude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order him to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a command or instruction. It indicates that someone is directing another person to perform a specific action, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "order him to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a command or instruction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It implies a power dynamic and is frequently found in news and media sources. While the register is generally neutral, careful consideration of the context is essential to avoid misinterpretations of authority. Alternatives such as "direct him to" or "instruct him to" can be used to adjust the level of formality or directness. Considering the frequency and diverse range of sources, using "order him to" is generally appropriate when conveying a direct instruction, and when applicable to the level of authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

command him to

Implies a more authoritative and formal instruction.

direct him to

Suggests a less forceful instruction, often regarding a specific task or direction.

instruct him to

Emphasizes the educational or informative aspect of the instruction.

tell him to

A more informal and direct way of giving an instruction.

require him to

Indicates that the action is obligatory or necessary.

compel him to

Suggests a stronger form of forcing or obligating someone to act.

oblige him to

Similar to 'require', but often carries a sense of moral or legal obligation.

enjoin him to

A more formal and legalistic way of ordering someone to do something.

charge him with

Suggests assigning a responsibility or task to someone.

task him with

Similar to 'charge him with', but emphasizes the assignment of a specific task.

FAQs

How can I use "order him to" in a sentence?

You can use "order him to" when describing someone in a position of authority giving a direct command, such as "The general "ordered him to" advance".

What are some alternatives to "order him to"?

Alternatives include "direct him to", "instruct him to", or "command him to", each carrying slightly different connotations of authority and formality.

Is it always appropriate to use "order him to"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Using "order him to" implies a power dynamic. Consider the context and relationship between individuals before using this phrase.

What's the difference between "order him to" and "ask him to"?

"Order him to" implies a command that must be obeyed, whereas "ask him to" is a polite request that allows for refusal. They differ significantly in terms of authority and compliance.