several commands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several commands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to multiple instructions or directives that need to be executed or followed. Example: "The software requires several commands to complete the installation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

He typed several commands, then got up and left.

The New Yorker

"While police did give him several commands, he did not aggressively approach them or raise his hands at members of law enforcement at any time".

The New York Times

Typically, the security forces are separated into several commands (army, air force, police, intelligence) — each of which reports directly to the leader.

The New York Times

But if you're not using an Oster recipe, you have to enter several commands before you find the program you need -- a little annoying, when all you want to do is purée peas for the baby.

The New York Times - Food

Justin Bamberg, an attorney for the family, said in the statement: "While police did give him several commands, he did not aggressively approach them or raise his hands at members of law enforcement at any time.

The Guardian

Just then, Mr. Healy spots a suitable landing area from the sky, but Mr. Riordan has no idea where it is, so the pilot directs him from above through several commands of "right" and "left".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He has held several command posts, among them commander of the 20th Combat Engineer Battalion, director of the Army Engineer School, commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, commander of the Southern Military Region, and commander of the Central Military Region.

Wikipedia

"Sure, we're worried about that," said one senior Special Operations officer with several command tours overseas.

The New York Times

He trained other pilots and served in several command posts around the world, including Japan, before retiring in 1959.

The New York Times

In the conducted study we asked several commanding firefighters about their experiences in handling warnings and weather reports.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The script accepts several command line parameters, allowing the entry of arbitrary file name as the list of data files, selection of frames to be used as reference image, and defining a region of interest for the reference image or stack.

Chemistry Central Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation or user guides, use "several commands" to indicate that a series of steps must be performed to achieve a specific outcome. For instance, "The installation requires several commands to be executed in the terminal."

Common error

In casual contexts, avoid using "several commands" if simpler alternatives like "a few steps" or "some instructions" sound more natural. Overly formal language can make your writing seem stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several commands" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a plurality of instructions or directives. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several commands" is a correct and commonly used noun phrase that refers to a number of instructions or directives. Ludwig AI validates its usability in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it’s essential to tailor the phrase’s use to the appropriate context, avoiding overly formal language in casual settings. Alternatives like "multiple instructions" or "various directives" can be used depending on the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple commands

Synonymous substitution, focusing on quantity.

several directives

Synonymous substitution, maintaining a similar level of formality.

various commands

Highlights the diversity or different nature of the commands.

multiple instructions

Replaces "commands" with a more general term, focusing on the act of instructing.

a number of commands

Another synonymous substitution, emphasizing the count of commands.

various directives

Uses a more formal and authoritative term than "commands".

a series of orders

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the commands.

numerous instructions

Highlights the large number of instructions given.

a set of instructions

Focuses on a group of instructions, offering a slightly broader term.

a list of orders

Presents the commands in an organized, enumerated fashion.

FAQs

How can I use "several commands" in a sentence?

You can use "several commands" to indicate that a series of instructions or directives needs to be executed. For example, "The software requires "several commands" to complete the process."

What can I say instead of "several commands"?

Alternatives include "multiple instructions", "various directives", or "a series of orders" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "several commands" or "multiple commands"?

"Several commands" and "multiple commands" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific tone you wish to convey. Both are grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "several commands" and "individual commands"?

"Several commands" indicates a group of commands, whereas "individual commands" focuses on each command separately. The former refers to a collection, while the latter emphasizes distinct items.