order to complete

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "order to complete" is not correct in English as it is missing a preposition.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a purpose, but it should be "in order to complete." Example: "We need to gather all the necessary documents in order to complete the application process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

GROUP RESPONSIBILITIES -What will each person need to do in order to complete the segment?

The New York Times

"Everything I am letting go of in order to complete my healing".

The New York Times

She had to scramble to acquire an agent in order to complete the contract.

The Guardian

Did you need any special training or skill in order to complete the task?

The New York Times

Students will need their notes in order to complete the homework assignment.

The New York Times

In order to complete her documentary, Kate spent three years filming in Africa, Europe, and Asia.

The New Yorker

A radio operator has agreed to sell 99 stations in order to complete a merger.

The Economist

It is essential that they are assessed in a live work environment in order to complete their chosen qualifications.

The Guardian

But imagine if, in order to complete your degree, you had to see the perpetrator sitting in your classroom.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, despite the agreement on price, Sainsbury's could seek an extension to the deadline in order to complete due diligence.

The Guardian - Business

In order to complete her homework, she often used the computer lab at school or at the public library.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the full phrase "in order to complete" for grammatical correctness and clarity. While "to complete" is also acceptable, "order to complete" is grammatically incorrect.

Common error

A common mistake is omitting the preposition "in" before "order", resulting in the grammatically incorrect phrase "order to complete". Always include "in" to ensure your sentence is grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order to complete" functions incorrectly as an infinitive of purpose due to the missing preposition "in". Grammatically, it is a flawed attempt to connect an action with its intended outcome. The presence of numerous examples on Ludwig highlights its common usage, despite the grammatical error.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "order to complete" presents a common grammatical pitfall. While frequently used across various platforms like news, science, and wikis, it is technically incorrect due to the missing preposition "in". According to Ludwig, the correct form is "in order to complete" or simply "to complete", ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity in expressing purpose. While ubiquitous, writers should strive for precision by including the necessary preposition, especially in formal contexts. Using related phrases, such as "so as to complete", can add variety while maintaining correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to complete

Adds the preposition "in", correcting the grammatical structure to clearly indicate purpose or intention.

to complete

A more concise way of expressing the same purpose; removes "in order" for brevity.

so as to complete

Similar to "in order to", but uses "so as" for a slightly more formal tone.

for completing

Uses a gerund to indicate purpose; changes the verb form to focus on the action of completing.

with the aim of completing

Emphasizes the intention or goal of completing something.

for the purpose of completing

A more verbose way of stating the purpose, adding emphasis to the reason.

toward completion

Shifts the focus to the direction of the action, implying progress toward finishing.

in furtherance of completion

A formal and somewhat legalistic way of indicating action that promotes completion.

with a view to completing

Indicates a goal or intention, framing the action as a means to an end.

to ensure completion

Focuses on the result of completing, emphasizing the act of ensuring the finish.

FAQs

How to correctly use "order to complete" in a sentence?

The phrase "order to complete" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "in order to complete" which introduces a clause of purpose, or simply "to complete".

What's a more concise alternative to "in order to complete"?

You can often replace "in order to complete" with the simpler "to complete" without losing meaning. For example, "I need more data to complete the report" is just as effective as "I need more data in order to complete the report".

Is there a difference in formality between "in order to complete" and "to complete"?

While both phrases express purpose, "in order to complete" can be perceived as slightly more formal than "to complete". Choose the phrase that best fits the overall tone of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "in order to complete" that emphasize intention?

If you want to emphasize the intention behind an action, consider using phrases like "with the aim of completing" or "for the purpose of completing" as alternatives to "in order to complete".