the order in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the order in which" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe the sequence in which a particular event or events occur. For example, "The order in which the tasks were completed was crucial to the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I can't remember the order in which everything happened.

The Guardian

The order in which questions are asked is also important.

The New Yorker

That is the order in which they joined Prism.

The New Yorker

Markers highlight the order in which deformation occurs.

Nature

Changing the order in which things are presented.

Harvard Business Review

Patients are seen in the order in which they arrive.

The New York Times - Health

Thus, the order in which information is extracted matters.

Journal of Mathematical Economics

The order in which the depths are specified dictates the order in which the objects are merged into the new depth.

Harvard University

The order in which you sort determines the order in which question groups appear on the evaluation, and on the report.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"All that remains," he said, "is deciding the order in which to make them.

The New York Times

Here they are, in no particular order but the order in which I thought of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the elements you are sequencing are clearly defined. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what is being ordered – whether it's tasks, events, or items.

Common error

Avoid using "the order in which" when simply listing items without a meaningful sequence. The phrase implies a specific and important arrangement, not just a random assortment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the order in which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It specifies the sequence or arrangement of elements within a described context. Ludwig AI shows its extensive use in diverse sentences from many sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the order in which" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the importance of sequence in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the sequence is meaningful and relevant to the discussion. Alternatives such as "the sequence that" or "the arrangement by which" can be used for stylistic variation, but "the order in which" remains a clear and effective choice for emphasizing sequential relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the sequence that

Changes the structure to use "sequence" which emphasizes a specific arrangement, and uses "that" instead of "in which".

the arrangement by which

Replaces "order" with "arrangement", highlighting the organization method, and uses "by which" for a slightly more formal tone.

the way things are sequenced

Uses a more informal phrasing focusing on 'the way' things are arranged sequentially.

the progression through

Emphasizes the idea of moving forward through a series of steps or events.

the chronology of

Focuses specifically on the timeline or temporal arrangement of events.

the precedence given to

Highlights the priority or importance assigned to different items or actions.

the steps in succession

Emphasizes a series of steps following one another.

the relative positioning of

Focuses on how things are placed in relation to each other within a sequence.

the pecking order of

Implies a hierarchical sequence where items or individuals are ranked.

the protocol for

Suggests a set of rules or procedures dictating the sequence of actions.

FAQs

How can I use "the order in which" in a sentence?

Use "the order in which" to describe the sequence of events or steps in a process. For example, "The success of the experiment depended on the order in which the chemicals were added."

What are some alternatives to "the order in which"?

Alternatives include "the sequence that", "the arrangement by which", or "the chronology of", depending on the specific context.

Is it necessary to always specify why "the order in which" things happen is important?

While not always necessary, clarifying the importance of the sequence can enhance understanding. If the order significantly impacts the outcome, it's beneficial to explain why.

What is the difference between "the order in which" and "the way that"?

"The order in which" specifically denotes a sequence, whereas "the way that" is more general and can refer to a method or manner, not necessarily involving a specific sequence. Thus, "the way that" is frequently applied in less formal contexts.