order of excellence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "order of excellence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a ranking or classification based on quality or achievement. Example: "The university was recognized for its order of excellence in research and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So here, in reverse order of excellence, are 10 inspirational TV medics.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To do so, the government issues school performance tables based on results in annual nationwide examinations, which newspapers publish in order of excellence.

The New York Times

Those who passed were given degrees often called doctorates (jinshi) and promptly took an additional palace examination, nominally presided over by the emperor, on the basis of which they were ranked in order of excellence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And who better to rank the saga in order of excellence than Simon Pegg, the British actor whose scathing verdict on The Phantom Menace in the much-loved 90s sitcom Spaced – long before he became a Hollywood superstar – remains perhaps the definitive reading.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now, obviously not every news story, for the ones cited in this article from ABC News, The Washington Post and Scientific American are all highly informative, and ascend (in my view) in orders of excellence.

Forbes

The OBE is still not the Order of British Excellence.

The Guardian - Arts

Surely Order of British Excellence would do the OBE job and hardly anyone would notice after a week?

The Guardian

Even the awards that are allowed to remain should, the committee suggested, be demilitarised and turned into bland honours like the Companion of the Order of British Excellence.

The Economist

It also proposes encouraging multi-academy trusts to select within their family of schools, in order to set up "centres of excellence" for their most able students.

The Guardian

It is important to stay focused on the mission and your area of excellence in order to maintain stable, profitable growth.

HuffPost

Family physician (FP) trainers and their host practices are expected to be places of excellence in order to provide a predetermined standard of medical education.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "order of excellence", ensure the context clearly establishes the criteria being used to define 'excellence'. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "order of excellence" when referring to subjective qualities that cannot be objectively ranked. It's better suited for situations where performance can be measured against clear benchmarks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order of excellence" functions as a noun phrase that indicates a structured ranking or classification system based on defined criteria of high quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, but also illustrates its limited frequency of use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "order of excellence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a structured ranking based on quality, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While correct, it's relatively rare and most appropriate in formal contexts such as news reporting, encyclopedic entries, or academic discussions. When writing, it's crucial to define the criteria for "excellence" clearly. For more informal settings, consider alternatives like "top tier" or "cream of the crop". While the phrase is usable and correct, as stated by Ludwig AI, its limited usage suggests that other expressions might be more common depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ranking by quality

Highlights the process of classification based on the degree of excellence.

level of merit

Emphasizes the degree of worth or quality, rather than a formal ranking.

classification by quality

Highlights the act of grouping items according to their degree of goodness.

standard of quality

Focuses on the benchmark or criterion for measuring quality.

grading of merit

Focuses on the evaluation and assignment of grades based on value.

degree of superiority

Highlights the extent to which something surpasses others.

scale of merit

Implies a graded system for evaluating worth.

hierarchy of quality

Suggests a ranked arrangement based on quality.

system of grading

Emphasizes the methodology for assigning grades based on quality.

pecking order of excellence

Adds an informal tone, suggesting a naturally occurring hierarchy of quality.

FAQs

How can I use "order of excellence" in a sentence?

You can use "order of excellence" to describe a ranking or classification based on quality or achievement. For example: "The university was recognized for its "order of excellence" in research and innovation."

What can I say instead of "order of excellence"?

Alternatives include "level of merit", "standard of quality", or "ranking by quality", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "order of excellence" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "order of excellence" tends to be more formal. In informal settings, phrases like "top tier" or "cream of the crop" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "order of excellence" and "center of excellence"?

"Order of excellence" refers to a ranking or classification, while "center of excellence" describes an institution or department known for its superior performance in a specific field.