ordered to obey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordered to obey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is given a command or directive that they are expected to follow. Example: "The soldiers were ordered to obey the commands of their superior officer without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Koster's lawsuit asks that the 13 municipalities lose jurisdiction over traffic offenses until they comply with the law and be ordered to obey the law in the future.

Huffington Post

Rehab could be a good-faith gesture, as the R&B singer is still on probation for his assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 and has been ordered to "obey all laws".

Los Angeles Times

Withered and limp, unkempt and undignified, he is reduced to an infantile state, to be comforted and cajoled, humored with therapeutic potions and measures, and ordered to obey.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In order to obey it, we must disobey ourselves".

The New York Times

Without admitting or denying the charge, Myspace agreed to a temporary consent order to obey its stated privacy policies and to establish other controls.

The New York Times

When I was 13, "Christy" did things that seemed impossibly grown-up to me: she curled her hair with a curling iron, she drove around with missionary surfer boys, and she lived a chaste life in order to obey God.

The Guardian - Opinion

On another post a parent said her daughter had been forced to wear a skirt several sizes too big safety-pinned round her waist in order to obey the length requirement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately this data is presented very aggregated, in order to obey the statistical secret imposed by Spanish law 12/1982.

European Transport Research Review

In order to obey the Vegard rule, these mode frequencies should have a positive linear dependence on the Mn content, which is not observed in our results.

Nanoscale Research Letters

In order to obey we first need to cultivate faith, since obedience to a divine command is nonsense unless we at least believe the command has come from God.

SEP

(Both legal and moral laws may be understood as holding prima facie, so that in some situations a person must violate one law in order to obey a more important one).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ordered to obey", ensure the context clearly establishes the authority issuing the order and the expectation of compliance. For instance, "The general ordered the troops to obey his commands without question."

Common error

Avoid using "ordered to obey" when the authority is unclear or illegitimate. For example, instead of saying "The crowd ordered the mayor to obey their demands", consider a more accurate phrasing like "The crowd demanded that the mayor comply with their requests."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordered to obey" functions as a directive construction, typically found in legal, military, or authoritative contexts. As Ludwig AI shows, it expresses the act of instructing someone to follow instructions or commands. It emphasizes the hierarchical relationship and the expectation of compliance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordered to obey" is a directive phrase indicating a command from an authority figure expecting compliance. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and can be used in written English, especially in news and media contexts. Although not frequently used, it effectively emphasizes the obligation to follow instructions. When using the phrase, ensure the authority is clear and legitimate. Alternatives like "instructed to follow" or "commanded to comply" may be appropriate depending on the context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commanded to comply

Replaces "ordered" with "commanded" and "obey" with "comply", emphasizing authority and adherence to rules or regulations.

instructed to follow

Uses "instructed" instead of "ordered", which softens the tone, and replaces "obey" with "follow", which suggests guidance rather than strict compliance.

required to submit

Substitutes "ordered" with "required" and "obey" with "submit", highlighting the obligatory nature of the action and the potential power dynamic involved.

compelled to adhere

Replaces "ordered" with "compelled", stressing a sense of external force or pressure, and swaps "obey" with "adhere", focusing on sticking closely to specific guidelines or principles.

directed to observe

Uses "directed" in place of "ordered", conveying a sense of guidance or navigation, and swaps "obey" with "observe", which can imply adherence to a law or custom.

mandated to execute

Replaces "ordered" with "mandated", suggesting a formal or legal requirement, and swaps "obey" with "execute", which denotes carrying out a task or command.

subject to compliance

Focuses on the state of being under obligation to comply, rather than the act of being ordered.

bound to respect

Emphasizes a moral or legal obligation to show consideration or deference, altering the original directive focus.

under obligation to yield

Highlights the compulsory aspect of surrendering to authority, shifting the core meaning somewhat.

expected to conform

Stresses adherence to social norms or standards, deviating from the specific order context.

FAQs

How can I use "ordered to obey" in a sentence?

You can use "ordered to obey" to describe a situation where someone in a position of authority instructs another person or group to follow their commands. For example, "The judge "ordered the defendant to obey" the terms of their probation".

What are some alternatives to "ordered to obey"?

Alternatives include "instructed to follow", "commanded to comply", or "required to submit". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "ordered to obey"?

While "obey" is inherent in the concept of an order, using "ordered to obey" can emphasize the expectation of compliance and the potential consequences of disobedience. The usage depends on the desired level of emphasis.

What is the difference between "ordered to obey" and "asked to obey"?

"Ordered to obey" implies a command from a superior authority, while "asked to obey" suggests a request, indicating a less forceful expectation of compliance. The choice depends on the relationship between the individuals involved and the nature of the instruction.