these commands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these commands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to specific commands that have been previously mentioned or are understood in context. Example: "Please execute these commands to complete the installation process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both these commands save the screenshot to your hard drive.

The New York Times - Tech

By modern standards these commands are anything but liberal.

The Economist

These commands tell your PC to start and stop listening to you.

The New York Times - Tech

Firstly, run these commands to let Travis CI know your password.

The Guardian

Machines are now far better at interpreting the words spoken to them and understanding how to act on these commands.

The Guardian

All the while, these commands occur when the horse is up on the bridle and waiting for a command.

The New York Times

"I know who gives these commands, who is governing these processes," he said in a statement on his Web site.

The New York Times

Trying to observe all these commands at once might leave the writer stuck with nothing but a string of prepositions.

The Economist

These commands will be called old.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

(These commands work today, but don't extend to SMS).

TechCrunch

Whether you heeded these commands as a child could help predict your future.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these commands", ensure the commands have been clearly defined or are easily understood within the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "these commands" without a clear antecedent. Always ensure the reader knows exactly which commands you are referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these commands" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a particular set of instructions or actions. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it typically refers to commands that have been previously mentioned or are easily identifiable within the given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these commands" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to direct attention to a specific set of instructions across diverse contexts, including news, science, and technical documentation. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the referenced commands are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "the aforementioned commands" or "the specified instructions" can offer a more formal tone when needed. Overall, "these commands" is a reliable and effective way to refer to specific actions, provided clarity is maintained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned commands

Replaces 'these' with a more formal term indicating commands previously mentioned.

the specified instructions

Substitutes 'commands' with 'instructions' and adds specificity.

the indicated procedures

Replaces 'commands' with 'procedures', implying a more structured set of actions.

these directives

Uses 'directives' instead of 'commands', suggesting a more authoritative tone.

these orders

Employs 'orders', implying a hierarchical structure or system of control.

the outlined steps

Replaces 'commands' with 'steps', indicating a sequence of actions to be followed.

the prescribed actions

Substitutes 'commands' with 'actions', implying a set of necessary tasks.

the given tasks

Replaces 'commands' with 'tasks', focusing on the work to be done.

the designated functions

Uses 'functions' instead of 'commands', emphasizing the operational aspect.

the stated rules

Substitutes 'commands' with 'rules', implying a set of guidelines to be followed.

FAQs

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

You can use "these commands" to refer to a specific set of instructions or actions. For example, "After reviewing the manual, execute "these commands" in sequence".

What's a more formal way to say "these commands"?

A more formal alternative to "these commands" could be "the aforementioned commands" or "the specified instructions", particularly in technical or academic writing.

How do "these commands" differ from "those commands"?

"These commands" typically refer to commands that are closer in context or more immediately relevant, while "those commands" might refer to commands further away or previously discussed.

Can I use "these commands" to refer to actions I will describe later?

Yes, you can, but it's best to introduce the commands first for clarity. For instance, "These commands will initialize the system: first, run 'init', then 'start', and finally 'load'.