their orders

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their orders" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to the instructions or commands given by a group or organization to its members. Example: The soldiers followed their orders to retreat from the battlefield.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They don't forget their orders.

Independent

The gang were exceeding their orders.

The New Yorker

"Those are their orders," he said.

The New York Times

Customers place their orders at the counter.

The New York Times

The retailers all raised their orders.

The New York Times

Retailers were increasing their orders.

The New York Times

"But we didn't turn down their orders".

The New York Times - Food

Waiters forgot their orders or ignored them.

The New York Times - Style

They get their orders directly from Heaven, and their orders are to destroy us.

The New Yorker

As customers slow their orders, technology companies scale back production.

The Economist

The server came to their table and took their orders.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their orders", ensure the context clearly identifies who is giving the orders and who is receiving them to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "their orders" implies absolute authority. Clarify the limits of those orders, especially in contexts where ethical or legal considerations might override them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their orders" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb (e.g., follow, receive, disobey) or as a prepositional complement. Ludwig examples show it denoting instructions or commands given to a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "their orders" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to instructions or commands given to a group, as affirmed by Ludwig. It appears frequently across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "their orders", it's important to provide clear context about who is giving and receiving the orders. Alternatives like "their directives" or "their instructions" can be used for a more formal tone. Despite its widespread use, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications of following any order, ensuring it aligns with legal and moral standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their directives

Substitutes "orders" with a more formal synonym, implying a level of authority.

their instructions

Replaces "orders" with a more neutral term, suitable for instructional contexts.

their commands

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the instructions, using a stronger term.

the instructions they received

Reformulates the phrase to focus on the act of receiving instructions.

the directives given to them

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the act of giving directives.

the guidelines they must follow

Shifts the focus to the required adherence to the instructions.

their mission parameters

Implies the existence of goals with clear constraints.

their assigned tasks

Focuses on specific duties allocated to a group.

the policies they implement

Focuses on the implementation of formal rules or guidelines.

their official procedures

Emphasizes the official and standardized nature of the instructions.

FAQs

How can I use "their orders" in a sentence?

You can use "their orders" to describe actions taken as a result of instructions received. For example: "The soldiers followed their orders to secure the perimeter."

What's a more formal way to say "their orders"?

A more formal alternative to "their orders" could be "their directives" or "their instructions", especially in professional or official contexts.

Is it always appropriate to follow "their orders"?

While following orders is generally expected, ethical considerations and legal obligations may sometimes necessitate questioning or refusing orders that are illegal or morally reprehensible.

How does "their orders" differ from "their suggestions"?

"Their orders" implies a mandatory instruction that must be followed, whereas "their suggestions" indicates a recommendation that can be considered but not necessarily implemented.