order of things

USAGE SUMMARY

"order of things" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the way things are arranged or organized, or the way events unfold in a particular situation. Example: In the natural order of things, plants grow from seeds, flowers bloom, and then seeds are produced again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The new natural order of things, perhaps.

The Economist

This is the order of things.

Independent

This was the natural order of things.

The New York Times - Food

Such was the natural order of things.

Independent

"He respected the pecking order of things.

The New York Times - Sports

That's the natural order of things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The whole order of things has changed".

The New York Times

"That's not the natural order of things".

The New York Times

Leicester then reaffirmed the order of things.

The Guardian - Sport

It simply seems to be in the order of things.

The New York Times

In fact, though, it is the usual order of things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing disruptions to the usual course, "order of things" is particularly useful for highlighting the unexpected nature of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "order of things" when referring to a specific, narrowly defined sequence. It's better suited for broader, more generally understood arrangements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order of things" functions as a noun phrase that describes a typical or expected arrangement or sequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "order of things" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression in English, as validated by Ludwig AI. It describes the typical or expected sequence or arrangement of events. Predominantly found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing contexts. Related phrases include "natural order" and "established system". When using "order of things", it's best practice to apply it to broadly understood arrangements. Avoid using it for specific narrowly defined sequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

natural order

This emphasizes the inherent or expected sequence or arrangement.

existing arrangement

This highlights a current setup or agreement.

established system

This focuses on a pre-existing and accepted arrangement.

status quo

This refers to the current state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues.

the way things are

This is a more general and informal way to describe the existing state.

customary procedure

This highlights the typical process or routine followed.

prevailing conditions

This emphasizes the circumstances that currently exist or are happening.

conventional practice

This refers to a commonly accepted method or custom.

current situation

This refers to the circumstances at the present time.

the norm

This refers to what is considered usual, typical or standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "order of things" to describe the normal or expected sequence of events, as in, "In the natural "order of things", children are expected to outlive their parents".

What's a more formal alternative to "order of things"?

A more formal alternative could be "established system" or "prevailing structure", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say 'the order of the things' instead of "order of things"?

While grammatically understandable, "order of things" is the idiomatic and preferred phrasing. Using 'the' before "things" is unnecessary and sounds less natural.

How does "order of things" differ from "state of affairs"?

"Order of things" refers more to the expected sequence or arrangement, while "state of affairs" describes the current conditions or circumstances.