order was given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "order was given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a command or directive has been issued, often in formal or military settings. Example: "After the meeting, the order was given to proceed with the project immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The order was given.

The New York Times

LAHOUSEN: This order was given to Canaris several times.

Yale University

At 12.20am the order was given to end the siege.

The Guardian

In February 2012 an order was given to "disappear" Gorbuntsov.

The Guardian

The order was given for a police assault.

The Guardian

He was persuaded and the order was given to stop.

Independent

FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBUEHLER: You said that this order was given about December 1939.

Yale University

COL.AMEN: Do you recall the approximate date when this order was given by Keitel to Canaris?

Yale University

That, say the church historians, is because no such order was given.

The New York Times - Books

And once the shootdown order was given, it was not communicated to the pilots.

The New York Times

When the order was given the tribesmen raced in five pick-ups towards the border.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "order was given", ensure the context clearly identifies who issued the order and what the order entailed for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "order was given" without specifying who gave the order. This can create ambiguity and leave the reader wondering about the source of authority. For example, instead of "The order was given to retreat", write "The general gave the order to retreat".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "order was given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a command or instruction has been issued by an unspecified agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The passive voice focuses on the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "order was given" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction indicating that a command or instruction has been issued. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct for use in written English. While versatile, it's crucial to specify the source of the order for clarity. Semantically related phrases include "command was issued" and "directive was issued". The phrase's register is generally neutral to formal, and it sees prominent usage in news, academic and military contexts. Being a passive construction it's useful to consider if its use is indeed adequate for the message you intend to send or if a active form like "somebody gave the order" could improve the communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

command was issued

Replaces "order" with "command", implying a more formal or authoritative instruction.

directive was issued

Substitutes "order" with "directive", suggesting a policy or guideline was officially communicated.

instruction was imparted

Replaces "given" with "imparted", emphasizing the act of conveying knowledge or guidance.

authorization was granted

Focuses on the permission aspect of the order, implying official approval was necessary.

permission was given

Highlights that approval or consent was provided for an action.

the go-ahead was given

An informal way of saying permission or approval was granted to begin something.

sanction was given

Implies an official approval or authorization, often in legal or formal contexts.

decision was made

Focuses on the act of making a choice or resolution that has implications.

a ruling was issued

Suggests a judgment or official decision has been formally announced.

green light was given

Informal alternative, meaning permission to proceed was granted.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "order was given" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "command was issued", "directive was issued", or "authorization was granted", depending on the context.

What's a more informal way to say "order was given"?

If you're aiming for informality, consider using phrases like "the go-ahead was given" or "green light was given".

Is it always necessary to specify who gave the order when using "order was given"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the source of the order enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity. Consider whether the recipient or origin of the order is relevant to your writing. If not, use an active voice construction for greater clarity. For example, 'The general gave the order'.

What's the difference between saying "the order was given" and "an order was given"?

Using "the" implies that a specific, previously discussed order is being referenced. Using "an" indicates that it's a new or unspecified order. For example, "The "order was given" to retreat" (referring to a known order), versus "An "order was given" to increase security" (introducing a new order).